China's Taiyuan Bans Coal Sales

Taiyuan, capital of northern China's Shanxi Province known for its coal production, has banned the sale, transport and use of coal to tackle air pollution. From Sunday, companies and individuals other than major steel and power plants are prohibited from selling, transporting or burning coal in the urban area of Taiyuan, Global Times reported. Dou Lifen, the head of the city's environmental protection bureau, said coal remains the biggest source of air pollution in winter in the city. The ban is expected to cut coal use by over 2 million tons, or 90% of the city's total consumption. By winter, the city will renovate heating equipment of 134,000 households in rural and urban areas, replacing coal furnaces with electric or natural gas heaters. After a series of moves, including automobile exhaust and dust control, Taiyuan is expected to see reduction of PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide as well as days of heavy air pollution.