Energy measures spark controversy
By Wang Qingchu |
October 22, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ELECTRICITY supplies have been drastically cut to only four hours a day in all homes and factories in a north China county in order for it to reach its energy-saving target.
The cuts started this month and may last until the end of the year. Electricity is only available between 6pm to 10pm in Zaoqiang County in Hebei Province, the People's Daily said on its website yesterday.
The measures come despite Anping County, also in Hebei, putting a stop to its own °?energy-saving plans after an online outcry and an investigation by the National Development and Reform Commission. The Anping government held a press conference to announce the decision on September 9 - just three days after a 22-hour blackout plan had been implemented.
The measures in Zaoqiang follow an appeal by the mayor of Hengshui, a city in the province, Gao Hongzhi, who asked government officials to "meet the energy-saving targets and reduce carbon emissions by any means, even at the cost of economic development."
"The situation may last until the end of December - after that should improve," said an employee with Zaoqiang's power supply bureau. "We can ensure power suppllies from 6pm to 10pm, but we can guarantee nothing for the rest of the day."
Internet users questioned why the cuts also targeted homes, which are not great producers of emissions.
"I can't charge my battery and I have to eat instant noodles every day. I don't even have hot water," a netizen complained.
"Factories have been severely hit by the measures. The cuts are implemented despite the effect on production. Some factories have been fined thousands of yuan for breaches of contract and have lost long-time business partners," said another netizen.
Some factories have been forced to buy electricity generators to sustain normal production, costing companies money and increasing pollution, which goes against the original idea of reducing carbon emissions.
Implementing the same power cuts to homes and factories is definitely wrong, unfair and inefficient, Zhou Minliang, an analyst at China's Academy of Sciences, said of the measures.
The cuts started this month and may last until the end of the year. Electricity is only available between 6pm to 10pm in Zaoqiang County in Hebei Province, the People's Daily said on its website yesterday.
The measures come despite Anping County, also in Hebei, putting a stop to its own °?energy-saving plans after an online outcry and an investigation by the National Development and Reform Commission. The Anping government held a press conference to announce the decision on September 9 - just three days after a 22-hour blackout plan had been implemented.
The measures in Zaoqiang follow an appeal by the mayor of Hengshui, a city in the province, Gao Hongzhi, who asked government officials to "meet the energy-saving targets and reduce carbon emissions by any means, even at the cost of economic development."
"The situation may last until the end of December - after that should improve," said an employee with Zaoqiang's power supply bureau. "We can ensure power suppllies from 6pm to 10pm, but we can guarantee nothing for the rest of the day."
Internet users questioned why the cuts also targeted homes, which are not great producers of emissions.
"I can't charge my battery and I have to eat instant noodles every day. I don't even have hot water," a netizen complained.
"Factories have been severely hit by the measures. The cuts are implemented despite the effect on production. Some factories have been fined thousands of yuan for breaches of contract and have lost long-time business partners," said another netizen.
Some factories have been forced to buy electricity generators to sustain normal production, costing companies money and increasing pollution, which goes against the original idea of reducing carbon emissions.
Implementing the same power cuts to homes and factories is definitely wrong, unfair and inefficient, Zhou Minliang, an analyst at China's Academy of Sciences, said of the measures.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
