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BIZCHINA / Center
Basic living allowance system to cover more rural people
(Xinhua)
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BIZCHINA / Local Resources
Beilun power plant embraces clean technology
By Ding Qi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-08-22 13:47
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Large power generation units in the Beilun Thermal Power Plant
[chinadaily.com.cn]
Picture a traditional power plant. Do you see dusty coal, chimney smoke,
and other pollutants? The Beilun Thermal Power Plant (BTPP) in the Beilun
new area of Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province, might make you
rethink the industry.
Established in 1988, BTPP is one of the largest coal-fired power
generators in China with a total power capacity of 3,000 Megawatt and two
more 1,000-Megawatt ultra super-critical power units under construction.
Like other traditional fire power plants, BTPP faced mounting pollution
problems as it grew. Leaders of the factory and local worked together to
find solutions.
"Sufficient power supplies are indispensable for the development of
Beilun District and its surrounding areas," said Wang Mingliang, an
official from the government of the Beilun District of Ningbo. "Yet we
cannot sacrifice the environment and people's health in pursuit of
electricity. Instead, we are pursuing cleaner energy."
Due to strenuous efforts on behalf of researchers at the plant and help
from the local government, BTPP is beginning to step toward "a green
power plant."
To reduce sulfur dioxide emission in the power generation process, as
early as 2004, BTPP began a fuel gas desulphurization project. By July of
this year, all five power units of the plant had been upgraded and
successfully passed trial operation of the project. As many as 89,000
tons of sulfur dioxide, a byproduct of power generation, will be
transformed into profitable gypsum each year using a special chemical
process, instead of becoming poisonous gas.
In addition to the desulphurization system, BTPP has also introduced a
set of dust removal and slag handling systems to prevent floating dust
and solid waste from polluting the environment. Moreover, the plant's
subtle circulated water processing system has realized nil-drainage of
waste water. At present, the plant is also engaged in the development of
a denitridation system to rid oxynitride off the waste gas.
"The roof of my house used to be covered by a layer of black dust if it
doesn't rain for long," said a worker who lived near the plant. "Now I'm
glad to see the black layer is gone."
With the development of more environmental friendly industries in Beilun,
greater benefits are on the way - fresh air, less chemical infiltration,
and probably a healthier life.
Via a fuel gas desulphurization project, sulfur dioxide emitted by the
Beilun Thermal Power Plant is transformed into useful gypsum material.
[chinadaily.com.cn]
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
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Updated: 2007-08-22 22:37
China will extend its basic living allowance system to cover an extra 10
million needy rural people by the end of this year, according to the
Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Related readings:
?Additional 2.7b yuan earmarked for rural health care
?Basic stipend for rural arease
?China further boosts financial services in rural areas
?Rural minimum living subsidy system to be established
"The number of the rural people benefiting from the system has already
risen to 23.115 million," said Civil Affairs Minister Li Xueju on
Wednesday at a press conference.
The system covered just 20.68 million rural people by the end of June.
This year, a basic living allowance system in rural areas was formally
established in all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of
China, 10 years after the similar system was set up in urban areas.
The amount of subsidies given by government varied in different areas
according to their economic situations, but the basic requirement is to
provide food and clothing for needy peoples both in urban and rural areas.
Li said most of the funding came from local governments, and the central
government allocated funds to support the system.
"This year, the central government has allocated three billion yuan for
rural areas, but most of the funds go to the relatively backward central
and western regions," he said.
"I believe, with China's social and economic progress, the basic living
subsidy for needy people in rural areas will be raised," Li said, noting
the average basic subsidy given by government per rural beneficiary was
28 yuan (US$3.68).
"The 28 yuan is not a huge amount of money, but it has different values
to different people," he said.
He said the allowance in rural areas was less than in urban areas because
living costs in urban areas were higher.
Under the system, the average basic living cost in urban areas nationwide
is 169.6 yuan (US$22.3) per person per month and the average basic living
cost in rural areas is 71.4 yuan (US$9.39).
The subsidy equals the basic living cost minus the individual's average
income. On average, the subsidy given by government is 92 yuan in urban
areas per month and 28 yuan in rural areas.
In the 1950s, China introduced a system of financial subsidies for the
poorest rural people. The system was funded by wealthier farmers and by
collective rural work units.
In the 1990s, a similar system set up in urban areas focused on providing
a minimum wage, housing, medical care and other essential benefits for
the poorest citizens.
In 1994, China started to upgrade the rural system into a fully-fledged
public assistance program by issuing a regulation ordering that food,
clothing, medical care, housing and burial expenses should be provided
for all rural residents who were childless or unable to work.
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
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