U.S. drops to third in clean energy investment and other environmental news

NRDC has been working in China for over twelve years on such issues as energy efficiency, green buildings, clean energy technologies, environmental governance and public participation, and green supply chain issues. This China Environmental News Alert is a weekly compilation of news from around the world on China and the environment.

March 25, 2011 – April 1, 2011

U.S. drops to 3rd in clean-energy investment: Pew
Reuters (March 29, 2011)
A new report by the Pew Charitable Trust has reported that the United States ranked third in private clean energy investment behind China and Germany. The report said a lack of minimum clean energy requirements have slowed investments. Despite the drop in rankings, the U.S. still ranked first in energy efficiency investments at $3.3 billion. 

Solar Farms Gain Priority in China as Atomic Goal Cut After Japan Accident
Bloomberg (March 31, 2011)
China announced it will reduce nuclear power plant construction and increase solar power farms in the wake of the Japanese nuclear crisis. The original goal of 80 gigawatts will be cut by an unspecified amount according to the National Development and Reform Commission. 

China to adopt new system over food safety
Xinhua, (March 30, 2011)
Officials from the General Administration of Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine and the China Association for Quality announced they would strengthen food regulation to eliminate fears about food quality and fake products. A recent study found that only half of the 2,862 quality inspection centers in the country are capable of carrying out food safety tests.

Rooftop plants to lift air quality
Global Times (March 28, 2011)
City officials plan to plant green space on 1.5 million square meters of rooftops and facades over the next five years. The plan comes after success from the 2010 World Expo where 85 percent of the pavilions were covered with plants. Government officials say the plan will reduce pollution levels, temperatures and air conditioning costs, though funding for the project is still uncertain. 

Southern Chinese city enforces garbage classification
Xinhua (April 1, 2011)
The city of Guangzhou is rolling out aggressive measures to reduce the 15,000 tonnes of garbage generated daily by its residents. Police will levy a 50 yuan fine on any individual who places garbage in the wrong bin and 500 yuan on any institution. The plan also involves increasing publicity of the new laws and giving rewards for children to recycle. 

China to raise renewable power tariffs within 2 yrs
Bloomberg (March 31, 2011)
China will raise the price of power from renewable sources over the next two years. The China Electricity Regulatory Commission is hoping the price increase will spur more investment in renewable energy. 

Pollution to get officials black mark
China Daily (March 30, 2011)
China’s National Audit Office has said it will begin environmental auditing as part of China’s 12th 5 year plan. The agency hopes to increase audits on land, mines, water and energy sources as well as on waste and environmental damage. Officials hope the audits will force local governments to take environmental pollution seriously. 

Niger secures $99 mln China loan for uranium mine
Reuters (April 1, 2011)
Niger has secured a 650 million yuan loan from China’s Export-Import Bank to fund the development of a uranium mine. The loan is repayable in 15 years with a grace period of 2 years. The mine is expected to reach output of 700 tonnes of uranium per year. 

China Completes First Horizontal Shale Gas Drilling in Sichuan
Bloomberg (March 31, 2011)
China has completed its first horizontal shale gas drilling operation. China is investing in drilling technology to penetrate hard shale rock and open up reserves of natural gas in an effort to meet carbon intensity reductions. Experts believe the new technology could open up 10 times the conventional reserves of natural gas. 

Low level radiation spreads in China
Xinhua (March 3, 2011)
Scientists have reported that trace amounts of atmospheric radiation, iodine 131, were found in 18 provinces across China. China says the radiation levels are low and pose no threat; though safety response plans have been drafted. 

China targets lead battery contamination
China Radio International (March 29, 2011)
The Chinese government and the Ministry of Environmental Protection have targeted lead acid batteries as a key source of heavy metal pollution. Officials are requiring local governments to release information on factories using or producing lead battery technology and also promised to halt production at enterprises failing to comply with environmental regulations. 

(CENA prepared by Timothy Ingalls)

* The links and article summaries in this post are provided for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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