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