World's first 660 KV transmission system sends power across China 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.

February 26, 2011 – March 4, 2011

World's first 660 KV transmission system sends power across China
Xinhua (February 28, 2011)
China completed construction of the world’s first 660 KV power line at a cost of 10.4 biliion dollars. The power line links power production from Ningxia province in the West to Shandong province in the East. The transmission system currently carries over 4 million KW of energy across a distance of 1300 kilometers and reduces the need to transport coal over long distances.

Report warns of high energy consumption in China
People’s Daily (March 1, 2011)
A new report by the Chinese Academy of Engineering found that Chinese growth in energy consumption could reach 5.1 billion tonnes of standard coal equivalent by 2015. The findings have led to calls for more efficient energy use and larger employment of natural gas and other non fossil fuel sources. Chinese officials are aiming to stabilize energy consumption to 4 billion tones from the current amount of 3.25 billion tones standard coal equivalent.

Plans for Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone approved
China Daily (March 3, 2011)
The Chinese government has accepted a plan for the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone. Officials hope the region spanning over 200,000 square kilometers and 15 cities will become the economic center of western China. The economic zone will promote eight different industry sectors including equipment manufacturing and electric information.

China's legislature adopts car tax law to promote energy conservation
Xinhua (February 25, 2011)
China has approved a new vehicle tax based on the car’s engine size in hopes that consumers will choose smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. China received over 100,000 comments on the new tax law, with 54.6 percent of people requesting a lower tax burden. The tax will range from 9 to 820 U.S. China currently has 199 million vehicles on the road. 

China Plans 45 New Airports As Travel Booms
Reuters (March 3, 2011)
China is planning to spend over 227 billion dollars to construct 45 new airports even as 130 out of 175 airports were unprofitable last year. The new airports are being built in anticipation of a burgeoning Chinese air-tourism market. Analysts expect Chinese airline customers to grow to 83.75 million by 2015.

East China city to spend 4.5 bln yuan tackling lake pollution
People’s Daily (March 3, 2011)
The east China city of Wuxi will spend at least 4.5 billion yuan ($684 million) to clean up the third largest freshwater lake in China. Taihu Lake provides drinking water for over 30 million residents in Jiangsu and Zhejiang province, but the lake is encountering large-scale algae blooms. The algae blooms stem from sewage discharge and industrial and agricultural runoff.

Non-fossil fuels to take up 11.4 pct of China's energy use by 2015: former energy chief
Xinhua (March 3, 2011)
China plans to increase energy production from non-fossil fuel sources to 11.4 percent by 2015. Currently, non-fossil fuels account for 8 percent of China’s total energy consumption. China’s coal use is also 30 percent higher than the world’s average, adding pressure on Chinese leaders in the face of climate change.

China caps emissions for rare earth producers
People’s Daily (March 2, 2011)
The Chinese government has announced new laws that will cap carbon emissions and place limits on 15 different pollutants for rare earth metal producers. The new laws will go into effect in October, but companies have until 2014 to comply. Analysts predict the law will lead to less pollution, some industry consolidation and higher prices for rare earth metals.

Construction starts on China's first low-speed maglev line
Xinhua (March 1, 2011)
China began construction of the world’s second low-speed Maglev train. The new train line cost more than conventional trains, but less than subways and will run 100 – 120 km per hour. Another low-speed Maglev train is also being planned for the Shenzhen subway system. 

Qinghai puts environment ahead of GDP
China Daily (March 4 2011)
The secretary of the Qinghai Provincial Committee intends to put green development at the front of his province’s development goals. Qinghai province is the source of China’s three major rivers and is also home to many endangered species. Qinghai’s economy is the smallest in China accounting for only .3% of China’s total GDP.

(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.

 See our bilingual (English and Chinese) blog dedicated to discussion of China's environmental law, policy and public participation at http://www.greenlaw.org.cn.