Beijing sees tenfold boost in collected pollution fees_美文

Beijing sees tenfold boost in collected pollution fees

Zhong said the increased emission charge has played a significant role in the restructuring of Beijing's industrial sector.

"Many companies used to ignore the old discharge fee because it was simply too insignificant," he said.

"The increased fee has made many companies realize the importance of emission reduction."

Heavy emitters, such as coal-fired power plants and cement plants, contributed more than 18.47 million of the total 88 million yuan emission fee, the bureau said.

To reduce the cost and lower emissions, Beijing's four main coal-fired plants have begun installing purification systems and consumed 1.6 million metric tons of coal during the first quarter of this year, 200,000 tons less than the same period last year.

Questions:

1. Hiked-up fees on polluting enterprises in Beijing raised how much in yuan?

2. Who is Zhong Chonglei?

3. How much less coal did Beijing’s four main coal-fired plants consume in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year?

Answers:

1. 88 million yuan.

2. Head of the Beijing Environmental Monitoring Team

3. 200,000 tons less.

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.