Chengdu Closes 44 Small Cement Plants     

Chengdu of Sichuan province is actively promoting the work on energy conservation and emission reduction. Huaneng Chengdu Power Plant and 44 small cement plants have already been closed.
   Small cement plants not only have outdated production processes but also cause hazards to the atmospheric environment in Chengdu. Due to the outdated production process, sulfur dioxide and dust discharged by these plants directly cause serious pollution to the atmospheric environment and greatly affect the daily life and health of local residents.
   Although the closure of these 44 small cement plants affects the supply of cement in local areas and produces some pressure on the development of related sectors such as the construction sector, it creates a sound living environment for residents.
   To further promote emission reduction, Chengdu will accelerate the elimination of outdated production units in iron and steel, nonferrous metal, coal, power, chemical and construction material sectors and exercise supervision on major energy-consuming and sewage-discharging enterprises in 2008.