僅次於日本
Taiwan’s Minister of Environment Peng Ching-ming said Taiwan has the second best air quality in Asia, just after Japan.
台灣環境部長彭啟明表示，台灣的空氣品質在亞洲僅次於日本。
He explained that this is based on international scientific data.
他解釋這項說法是根據國際科學數據。
be based on以…為基礎base(v.)以…為基點data(n.)資料、數據(datum:單數)big data大數據
He also noted that air pollution comes from many different sources, not just big factories or power plants.
他也指出，空氣污染來自許多不同的來源，不只是大型工廠或發電廠。
pollution(n.)污染／pollute(v.)污染source(n.)源頭、出處origin(n.)來源resource(n.)資源／natural resources自然資源／unlimited resources無限的資源a variety of…很多種的…
He hopes people can focus on science when discussing this issue.
他希望大眾在討論這個議題時能專注於科學根據。
Recently, the Hsingda Power Plant used its No. 3 and No. 4 coal-fired units for three days in a row, which raised some concerns.
最近，興達電廠連續三天啟動三號與四號燃煤機組，引發外界關注。
lately(adv.)最近coal-fired(adj.)燒煤的／coal mine煤礦／coal miner煤礦工人in a row連續地、一個接一個地／back-to-back(adj.)連續的raise concerns引起擔憂spark(v.)引發、鼓舞
Dr. Peng said that using the units when electricity supply drops below 8% is allowed and does not break environmental promises.
彭部長說，當電力儲備低於8%時可以使用這些機組，這並未違反環評承諾。
supply(n.)(v.)供應、供給量demand(n.)(v.)需求descend(v.)下降break one’s promise打破…的承諾
However, some critics, such as Taoyuan Deputy Mayor Su Jun-bin, said the minister may be choosing only the data that makes the government look good.
不過，包括桃園副市長蘇俊賓在內的部分批評者認為，部長可能只挑對政府有利的數據來說明。
critic(n.)評論家=reviewerfilm／food critic電影／美食評論家make sb. look good讓某人有面子make sb. look bad讓某人丟了面子
Peng also pointed out that natural gas and coal cause very different levels of air pollution.
彭部長還指出，天然氣和燃煤造成的空污程度差很多。
point out指出have impact on…在…有影響
Natural gas produces much less pollution than coal.
天然氣產生的污染遠低於燃煤。
He said the government’s long-term goal is to “replace coal with natural gas” to help improve air quality even more.
他說，政府的長期目標是「以氣換煤」，以進一步改善空氣品質。
long-term(adj.)長期的short-term(adj.)短期的replace(v.)取代、更換substitute for代替