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China confronting environmental ticking time bomb

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Coal ash pollution [File photo]

Zhao Xiaoning, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of Datong City in Shanxi Province, argues that local governments have environmental awareness, but it is difficult to act. "Some highly polluting sectors like coal and power are pillar industries in Shanxi, creating jobs and generating revenues," he points out.

Zhao says his bureau is promoting a program to reduce discharges of nitrogen oxide by coal-fired power plants: "We support economic development, and meanwhile, we reduce emissions."

Through technology upgrades, nitrogen oxide discharge will be reduced from 500 mg for every cubic meter of gas emission to 100 mg, matching a new national standard for thermal power companies.

"It is part of a bigger effort initiated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection to reduce sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxides in industrial companies," says Zhao. "We are finished with the sulfur dioxides cut and working on the second step."

In Shuozhou, the local government is building an industrial zone to house companies who can recycle coal ash.

Rich in silicon, coal ash here looks greyer and can be used to produce a kind of brick. According to the local government, nine plants with a total processing capacity of five million tons of coal ash each year have decided to move in.

But challenges remain ahead. It will take at least two decades to consume all the existing coal ash, and new ash is added to the dam each year, pressuring the local government to explore more ways to consume it.

For Wang Sannyu, what she wants at this moment is to relocate. She expects the local government to allocate a new piece of land for Shuimotou villagers and local power plants to compensate them.

"Our village is too close to the toxic source. It is not suitable for living," she says.

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