The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau will step up efforts to quell pollution caused by industrial smoke from burning coal.

These efforts include a number of moves designed to cut down on the number of polluters and achieve the year's goal of 227 good air days.

The Jingneng Thermo-electric Plant was ordered to stop operation of a furnace, the Beijing News reported.

Meanwhile, the Beijing Shougang Group, one of the capital city's largest polluters, kicked off a warning system to cut down on emissions.

Despite the efforts, as of Monday, there had only been 203 good air quality days so far this year.

Sources with the environmental protection bureau said the current condition is serious, particularly considering the onset of winter, when heating needs usually increase pollution.

Meanwhile, local environmental protection inspectors noticed chimneys at the Jingneng Thermo-electric Plant belching out heavy smoke on Sunday.

As it turned out, an electric dust remover had broken down, resulting in the heavy pollution.

Operations at the furnace were stopped while it was being repaired.

According to the Environment Law, a report should be made to local environmental protection departments when environmental facilities break down and effective measures should be taken, Zheng Jiang, vice-director of the environmental protection bureau, was quoted by the Beijing News as saying.

"But the Jingneng Thermo-electric Plant did not adopt measures until our staff found the problems. So we will punish the factory," Zheng said.

For the Shougang Group, a yellow and red warning system has been established to control pollution.

When the bureau issues a red warning for serious air pollution, Shougang will take steps to reduce output and bring pollution releases under control, sources said.

When air quality forecast predicts possible pollution, Shougang will strengthen examination and repairs of environmental facilities to ensure clean skies, local media said.

Sources with the local environmental protection bureau said inspections will continue to be conducted on major polluters in the city.

The environmental protection bureau has issued a list of 28 major polluters in the capital city.

Shijingshan District, where the Shougang Group is located, is the city's major industrial area.

In another development, the local government also strengthened penalties on the illegal use of stove coal.

(China Daily November 24, 2004)