HEBEI Province has said it will ensure sufficient supplies of clean coal during the next three winters to avoid heating fuel shortages and reduce toxic air emissions. Hebei said it will offer for purchase this winter 18.2 million tons of clean coal, including anthracite or blue coal, to 9.1 million households without access to clean-energy heating, according to a statement on the Central Government website Friday. In 2019, Hebei will offer 12.8 million tons of clean coal and 7.4 million tons in 2020. Hebei said it has signed contracts with major coal miners such as China Shenhua, Shanxi Jincheng Anthracite Mining Group, Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group to ensure the supply of clean coal. “Local authorities should urge coal mining companies to operate under full load and improve transportation networks to guarantee coal supply to all the households in need,” the government statement said. The province also said it will offer subsidies for residential clean coal use during heating season at around 500 yuan (US$71.85) a ton.(SD-Agencies) |