Shanxi to have tougher environmental regulations

Shanxi expects to have stricter environmental regulations, after the amendment draft of the Shanxi Regulations on Environmental Protection was submitted to the province’s standing committee of people’s congress for deliberations.

The amendment increased from 52 articles in six chapters to 67 articles in eight chapters, arousing public attention for its new contents.

The new regulations strengthen accountability system, pollution treatment from the sources, comprehensive measures for pollution control and treatment and the building of environmental protection systems as well as reform and innovation.

Governments above county-level will make annual assessments on the performance of lower-level environmental protection authorities. The assessment results will be taken into consideration for appointments, rewards or penalties.

The heads of environmental protection organs will be issued warnings if they fail to complete the environmental protection tasks.

The amendment tightens regulations on environment impact assessments, control over pollution discharge total, pollutant discharge licenses, environmental monitoring, and pollution supervision.

The amendment draft tries to promotes a green and low-carbon life style. It encourages consumers to buy products with environmental protection marks. The government will expand green procurement gradually and encourage non-governmental organizations and companies to do the same.

The revision issues detailed regulations for the treatment of sewage and hazardous waste, as well as regulations on soil pollution. It prohibits burning anything with a hazardous or foul smell in populated areas or other designated areas, including straw or fallen leaves.

The governments above county-level should investigate soil conditions and establish rigid protection for cultivated land and soil.

Authorities should organize monitoring and remediation of polluted land, which could not be used for residential buildings, schools, hospitals, kindergartens, elderly care facilities and agricultural planting, before remediation.

These new regulations map out red lines for ecological protection for permanent protection over areas such as natural reserves, scenic spots and wetland.