China approves massive new coal capacity despite pollution fears

[stuntcat]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/07/china-coal-idUKL3N0K90H720140107

BEIJING, Jan 8 (Reuters) - China approved the construction of more than 100 million tonnes of new coal production capacity in 2013 - six times more than a year earlier and equal to 10 percent of U.S. annual usage - flying in the face of plans to tackle choking air pollution.

The scale of the increase, which only includes major mines, reflects Beijing's aim to put 860 million tonnes of new coal production capacity into operation over the five years to 2015, more than the entire annual output of India.

While efforts to curb pollution mean coal's share of the country's energy mix is set to dip, the total amount of the cheap and plentiful fuel burned will still rise.

[NickB79]

1. This will put a bee in a few bonnets around here

Certain posters have been touting China's "commitment" to move off of coal and towards renewables as an example for the rest of the world.

But as they say, actions speak louder than words, and many of us here felt China's words were worth very little. I'm sad to have been proven right

[FBaggins]

2. Not the same thing

They import massive amounts of coal. Increasing domestic production isn't the same thing as increasing plans for coal-fired generation.

[NickB79]

3. True, but increased domestic production frees up more global coal supply

That can then be burned in places like Africa or India, areas also clamoring for more energy. It also helps drive down the price of the coal by increasing supply, making it more cost-competitive with other energy sources and thus more tempting to use.

End result: more coal will be burned, either in China or somewhere else globally.