SHANGHAI, CHINA (July 26, 2004) – On July 23, 2004, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $304,830 grant to the Zhejiang Energy Group Company to fund a technical assistance program on reducing nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions from the Beilun Power Plant in Ningbo City, Zhejiang.  Support for activities that enhance environmental protections is a key pillar of USTDA’s development assistance program in China.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony held at the U.S. Commercial Service Center in Shanghai.  Mr. Geoff Jackson, USTDA Assistant Director for Policy Planning and Regional Director for Asia, signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government.  Dr. Luo Weihong, Director of the Zhejiang Research and Development Center for Clean Coal Technology, signed on behalf of the Grantee.

NOx pollution has been linked to respiratory illnesses, smog, and acid rain.  Because coal-fired power plants are a major source of NOx emissions, recently enacted Chinese environmental laws impose heavy fines, and may restrict the building of new power plants, unless substantial reductions can be made in NO_X emission levels.

To assist China in its efforts to enhance air quality, the USTDA grant will assess options for upgrading environmental controls for NOx pollutants at the Beilun Power Plant, one of China’s largest power plants.  The reduction of NO_X emissions from the power plant will provide a major benefit the Ningbo region and is likely to lead to similar projects at other coal-fired power stations elsewhere in China.  Given that China is on its way to becoming the world’s foremost producer of electricity from coal, the broader implications of a successful demonstration at the Beilun Power Plant are momentous.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.  USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.  In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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