China will switch from coal to gas for air pollution control

Residents of 1.18 million households in 11 cities of the three central provinces of China should switch from coal to gas heating by the end of October this year. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China announced this on Monday.

According to the South China Morning Post, the transition of households from coal to gas is a part of the air pollution control in the country. Eleven cities are located on the plain which consists of Shanxi and Shaanxi Provinces (two largest coal-mining regions of China), as well as in Henan Province.

Linfen, a city in Shanxi province, is even listed in the top of the world ranking of cities with the most difficult environmental situation.

According to the representatives of the Ministry, the transition from coal to gas will reduce the concentration of PM2.5 class particulates, which are considered to be the most dangerous for humans, because they injure lungs. According to the plans of officials, the average concentration of PM2.5 in these cities should be reduced by 4% by next year.

The Ministry noted that local authorities will need to promote the consolidation of the coke and steel industries in order to eliminate small and outdated capacities and improve emission standards in the sectors.

The representatives of the Ministry also addressed the local authorities with a request to speed up the transition from road transportation to railway transportation. To do this, it will be necessary to speed up the construction of railway lines connecting ports with coal mines, utilities, steel and coke plants.