Download
Hiked-up fees on polluting enterprises in Beijing have helped the city to rake in 88 million yuan ($14 million) so far this year, the city's environmental watchdog said.
The bureau collected 8.34 million yuan during the same period last year.
"All of the money collected will be used to improve the city's air quality," said Zhong Chonglei, head of the Beijing Environmental Monitoring Team, during a news conference in the capital on Tuesday.
The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau raised the fees in January in an attempt to give more force to the agency's fight against pollution and further restore its image as a protector of the environment.
Per-kilogram fees were raised more than tenfold on major pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, chemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen.
Tianjin is also seeking to raise its emission fees on the four major pollutants starting on July 1.
The Tianjin Development and Reform Commission estimates the fee adjustment will bring in 900 million yuan annually, which will be put toward the city's environmental protection efforts.
In an aim to further reduce emissions, Beijing enterprises that discharge 50 percent fewer pollutants than the emission provision will be charged half of the benchmark price, and those that discharge above the quota will face a double fee and extra punishment, the capital’s bureau said.
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.
少儿双语谚语故事:生病的狮子
2016高考英语二轮(阅读理解)精品训练(12)及答案
国际英语资讯:U.S. Congress confirms Trumps presidency as Democrats challenge result
2016高考英语二轮阅读理解讲与练(答案)
英国家长:让自家娃学汉语最有竞争力!
2016高考英语二轮(阅读理解)能力提升演练(06)及答案
双语小技巧:should到底怎么用?
国际英语资讯:U.S. intelligence releases report on alleged Russias interference in presidential election
英国女王深夜散步 险遭自家警卫枪击 好险……
2016高考英语二轮(阅读理解)能力提升演练(07)及答案
2016高考英语二轮阅读理解讲与练(答案)
2016高考英语二轮(阅读理解)精品训练(06)及答案
2016高考英语二轮(阅读理解)精品训练(05)及答案
2016高考英语二轮阅读理解讲与练(答案)
体坛英语资讯:Washingtons Wall and Houstons Harden named NBA Players of Month
双语技巧:盘点高频词汇the用法综述
国内英语资讯:Interview: China hopes Astana talks will bear fruit for Syrias political process: Chinese
2016高考英语二轮(阅读理解)能力提升演练(03)及答案
国内英语资讯:Xi calls for creativity in strict CPC governance
2016高考英语二轮(阅读理解)精品训练(08)及答案