Stricter standards to be set for plants

BEIJING China's environmental authorities are mulling over stiff new emissions standards for thermal power plants amid concerns that they may increase costs and lead to more losses.

The new standards, consistent with an earlier version issued in January, will be released for public consultation in late August, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

In the latest version, the nitrogen oxide emission cap limit will be cut by half to 100 milligrams per cubic meter for thermal plants with denitration facilities or those designed to have such facilities. Sulfur dioxide emissions are limited to 100 milligrams per cu m for newly-built thermal plants.