Hell Freezes Over; Chinese Scrap Coal Plant Over Air Pollution Concerns

[wtmusic]

"Authorities in Baguang, eastern Shenzhen, China asked Shenzhen Energy Group to stop preparatory work for the construction a new coal-fired power plant. Furthermore, the city will not put forward any new plans to build coal power plants in the future, according to decisions made at an executive meeting of the municipal government August 1.

Shenzhen Energy Group said it would choose a suitable site outside of Shenzhen for the construction of the new power plant.

Since China's National Energy Administration gave its go-ahead for the coal power plant project to begin preliminary work in January, the plan has received strong public opposition over air pollution concerns. In June, 43 Shenzhen lawmakers headed by Zheng Xueding called for the cancellation of the project and objected to any new plans to build coal power plants anywhere in Shenzhen."

http://www.elp.com/articles/2013/8/china-cancels-planned-coal-fired-plant.html

[PoliticAverse]

1. "said it would choose a suitable site outside of Shenzhen for the construction" n/t

[pscot]

2. I wouldn't try to skate on the ice

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. As it turns out, the Chinese are capable of logic as well

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-30/china-s-spending-on-renewable-energy-may-total-1-8-trillion-yuan.html

[font face=Serif][font size=5]China’s Spending on Renewable Energy May Total 1.8 Trillion Yuan[/font]

By Bloomberg News - 2013-07-30T06:59:12Z

[font size=3]China’s spending to develop renewable energy may total 1.8 trillion yuan ($294 billion) in the five years through 2015 as part of the nation’s efforts to counter climate change, according to a government official.

China may invest another 2.3 trillion yuan in key energy-saving and emission-reducing projects, Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, said today at a conference in Beijing. China stands by its pledge to cut carbon emissions per unit of economic output by as much as 45 percent before 2020 from 2005 levels, he said.

The increased reliance on renewable sources of energy fits with efforts by China, the world’s biggest carbon emitter, to help mitigate the effects of pollution blanketing its major cities. Along with renewables investments, the environment ministry is considering stricter controls on vehicle and industry pollution.

The government aims to have 100 gigawatts of wind-power installed capacity and more than 35 gigawatts of solar power by 2015, Xie reiterated today. China’s targets have encouraged companies including China Petrochemical Corp., also known as Sinopec Group, to strengthen their commitment to protect the environment.

…[/font][/font]

[joshcryer]

4. I expect they'll build it elsewhere.

[CRH]

5. It seem from the linked article, ...

the concern is focused around localized pollution rather than concern for effects of global carbon concentrations. Nothing like eye tearing near unbreathable air to start the movement against a pollution with global consequence.