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. (climate-resistance.org)
However, a Chinese government report recently found that only a tiny fraction of Chinese cities fully complied with pollution standards in 2013, while approving the construction of more than 100 million tonnes of new coal production capacity in 2013, according to a Reuters report. (thinkprogress.org)
China's total coal production capacity including under mines construction is estimated at more than 5 billion tons while its coal output for next year will probably reach 3.7 billion tons, leaving more than 20 percent of its capacity idle, according to David Fang, a director with China Coal Transport and Distribution Association in Beijing. (bloomberg.com)