CHINA COMMITS TO RENEWABLES

Somebody go ask those southern Republicans (influenced so strongly by recalcitrant southern utilities) and those “hydrocarbon Democrats” (influenced so strongly by their states' fossil fuels producers): If China can commit to getting 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and 15% by 2020, why isn’t the House version of the energy bill (with its Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) committing the US to getting 15% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020) doable? The Chinese can do it and the US can’t!?!

China launches large-scale renewable energy plan
Hepeng Jia, 5 September 2007 (Science and Development Network)

WHO
Official China, as expressed by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Chen Deming, vice-chairman; Research Centre for Sustainable Development/Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Chen Ying, deputy director

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WHAT
The Chinese leadership, via NDRC, released 'Middle and Long-term Development Plan of Renewable Energies, ' an ambitious expression of the intent to develop renewables and reduce emissions.

WHEN
- The plan, published September 4, promises China will get 10% of its energy from renewables by 2010 and 15% by 2020.
- With plan, China will cut emissions by 600 million tonnes by 2010 and 1.2 billion tonnes by 2020.

WHERE
Announcement for all of China, made in Beijing, the country’s capital.

WHY
- Total projected Chinese investment: 2 trillion yuan ($133.3 billion).
- The plan:
1. 2005 hydropower capacity of 170 million kilowatts increased by 2020 to 300 million kilowatts.
2. Bioethanol production of 1 million tonnes increased to 10 million tonnes.
3. Wind energy capacity of 1.3 million kilowatts increased to 30 million kilowatts.
- Renewables presently supply 8% of china’s energy. Coal supplies 70%.
- Chen Ying (of China’s Research Centre for Sustainable Development) said cutting industrial energy consumption would more effectively reduce emissions. She also expressed concern for China’s rural poor and suggested they be provided with farm-waste burning methane stoves.

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QUOTES
Chen Deming, vice-chairman, NDRC: "I know these big targets [for renewables] have not been made by many countries, and they are also a great challenge to us…"