EPA A/A Wehrum Discusses Air Pollution Issues with

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUANGZHOU 032305 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM STATE FOR EB/TPP FELSING, MASSINGA STATE FOR OES/OGC, OES/ENV AND OES/PCI/STEWART USDOC FOR 4420/ITA/MAC/MCQUEEN, DAS LEVINE USDOC FOR NOAA/OFFICE OF GLOBAL PROGRAMS/BUIZER STATE PASS USTR - STRATFORD, CELICO USPACOM FOR FPA DOE FOR INTERNATIONAL/PUMPHREY DOE ALSO FOR EERE/DIXON EPA FOR OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION EPA ALSO FOR INTERNATIONAL/THOMPSON STATE PASS USTDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ENRG BEXP CH SUBJECT: EPA A/A Wehrum Discusses Air Pollution Issues with Guangdong EPB Officials (U) This cable is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation William Wehrum stressed to Guangdong Province Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) officials that environmental protection, public health, and economic development can co-exist. Wehrum commended Guangdong for addressing sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from power plants, and for moving towards emissions trading. EPB officials admitted that the Pearl River Delta (PRD) has highly concentrated industrial pollution, but that Chinese government leaders are aware of the seriousness of the problem. Commercial opportunities in Guangdong exist for U.S. companies with expertise in computer modeling of air pollution. EPB officials also acknowledged that despite the progress made in monitoring air pollution, management and technology challenges still exist. Guangdong EPB Deputy Director Wang Zikui enthusiastically advocated an MOU between the U.S. EPA and the EPB, stressing that the EPB needs more experience, technology exchanges, and training in the near future. Wehrum expressed willingness to explore areas for increased coordination and cooperation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) In an October 25th meeting with Guangdong EPB officials, EPA Assistant Administrator William Wehrum stressed that environmental protection, public health, and economic development can co-exist. He commended Guangdong for addressing SO2 emissions from power plants, and for moving towards emissions trading. ¶3. (SBU) Guangdong Environmental Monitoring Center Deputy Director Zhong Liuju admitted that the PRD has highly concentrated industrial pollution, but that Chinese government leaders are aware of the seriousness of the problem. AIR MONITORING NETWORK -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Zhong said that Guangdong Province patterned its air quality monitoring system on California's. The Provincial EPB operates 16 air monitoring stations and one mobile monitoring unit. These stations monitor SO2, nitrogen dioxide (NO2),particulate matter measuring 10 microns (PM10),carbon monoxide (CO),and ozone (O3). Three stations in the PRD region have the capacity to monitor PM2.5. ¶5. (SBU) The delegation visited the Guangdong Environmental Information Center (EIC),where real-time data from the 16 monitoring stations and one mobile unit is collected. The EIC has more than 10 computer workstations and a large LCD screen where the real-time data is displayed. Video feeds of power stations and other sites can also be monitored. A U.S. EPA official in the delegation noted that the raw data on the LCD screen showed extremely high levels of O3. COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPUTER MODELING -------------- - ¶6. (SBU) Commercial opportunities exist for U.S. companies with expertise in computer modeling of air pollution. Zhong mentioned that the EPB has not done much computer modeling of air pollution, but that the national Science Ministry has allotted RMB 150 million (USD 19.2 million) to develop this capacity. Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua has committed an additional RMB 150 million from the Province. Zhong said that the EPB is currently collecting U.S. models that would be suitable for Guangdong's situation and modifying them for EPB's use. Zhong stated that some of these projects are open for public tender. ONGOING POLLUTION CONTROL EFFORTS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) EPB Deputy Director Wang noted that efforts to control GUANGZHOU 00032305 002 OF 002 power plant emissions are ongoing. Coal-fired power plants must install desulfurization equipment by the end of 2008. Approximately 10,000 MW of generators have already installed such equipment, but this only represents a relatively small percentage of the total generation capacity in Guangdong Province. Once Guangdong has made more progress on reducing SO2 emissions, the EPB will shift its focus to reduce nitrogen oxides. ¶8. (U) Local media has reported that by the end of September, the Guangdong EPB had dealt with nearly 5,000 cases of environmental violations, collected fines of RMB 78 million (approximately USD 10 million),and shut down 1,300 polluting enterprises. FURTHER EPA ASSISTANCE NEEDED -------------- ¶9. (SBU) EPB officials admitted that despite the progress made in monitoring air pollution, management and technology challenges still exist. Zhong noted that further assistance is needed in the following areas: -- increasing the pollution inventory technical capability; -- localization and source attribution of emission factors; -- monitoring technology, ie. laser radar, remote monitoring, and online monitoring; and -- regional coordination and decision making support, including data analysis, information technology, emissions trading, and prediction/pre-warning models. ¶10. (SBU) Wang enthusiastically advocated an MOU between the U.S. EPA and the Guangdong EPB, stressing that the EPB needs more experience, technology exchanges, and training in the near future. Wehrum expressed willingness to explore areas for increased coordination and cooperation. ¶11. (U) A/A Wehrum has cleared this cable. GOLDBERG