Hydrogen Refueling Stations Can Be Installed with Approval from the Minister of Environment from Now On

Passage of 12 Environmental Bills Including the Air Quality Preservation Act in the National Assembly

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] From now on, hydrogen charging stations can be installed with the approval of the Minister of Environment. Until now, construction permits and high-pressure gas manufacturing permits had to be obtained from the heads of basic local governments. In this process, there have been cases where permits were delayed due to concerns about residents' complaints.

The Ministry of Environment announced that 12 environmental bills, including the "Air Environment Conservation Act" and the Environmental Dispute Mediation Act, which contain such provisions, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 24th.

First, the Air Environment Conservation Act introduced a permit agenda that deems related permits to have been obtained when the Minister of Environment approves the hydrogen charging station installation plan.

The Minister of Environment establishes a hydrogen charging station deployment plan, and when a business operator installs a hydrogen charging station, they must receive approval from the Minister of Environment, enabling the hydrogen charging station installation project to be promoted more systematically.

An official from the Ministry of Environment said, "When the Minister of Environment approves the installation plan, a new agenda is established that deems the business operator to have obtained the necessary permits for installing the hydrogen charging station, making rapid installation possible and creating a convenient charging environment."

The Special Act on Air Quality Improvement in Air Management Zones, which also passed the National Assembly on the same day, added passenger car transportation platform businesses to the scope of diesel vehicle usage restrictions. This reduces the demand for diesel vehicles, which emit high levels of air pollutants, and contributes to improving air quality in areas with severe air pollution.

The Environmental Dispute Mediation Act added environmental damage caused by changes in river water levels due to river facilities or water resource facilities to the scope of environmental dispute mediation, providing a legal basis for residents affected by last year's summer heavy rain damage to receive relief through environmental dispute mediation procedures.

According to this legal amendment, if affected residents apply, rapid relief for private property damage caused by heavy rain can be provided through professional mediation by the Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee.

Han Jeong-ae, Minister of Environment, said, "The Ministry of Environment will make every effort to prepare subordinate legislation so that the 12 bills passed by the National Assembly this time are implemented in a timely manner and lead to tangible benefits for the public, and will also focus on prior guidance of the main contents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.