China’s top steelmaking city Tangshan has upgraded 31 steel companies to ultra-low emission standards to curb air pollution in the city, according to China Metallurgical news.
Tangshan in Hebei province is one of the largest steel-producing city of China. The city is placed under orange alert during autumn and winter. During an orange alert, steel plants are directed cut production. After achieving ultra-low emission standards, steel plants need not cut production. Tangshan government is restructuring steel production capacity in the city with optimised industrial layout and transfer of steel plants. Air pollution levels in the city have decreased to 9 days of severe and highly polluted days from 10 days earlier.
Shandong province
China’s coastal province of Shandong has implemented an ultra-low emission transformation plan. According to the plan, steel and iron plants in the region that fail to achieve ultra-low emission standards will be charged higher electricity tariffs. Electricity tariffs will be charged at CNY0.01 to 0.06 per kilowatt-hour. If one unit in a plant does not meet standards of ultra-low emission charges they will be CNY0.01 per kilowatt. If three units in a plant fail to achieve standards, charges will be CNY0.06 per kilowatt-hour.