Designation of sulfur dioxide and Acid Rain Pollution Control Zones and its impacts on energy industry in China

Based on the data of SO2 emission, urban air quality, and acid precipitatio n, the status and characteristics of acid rain and SO2 pollution in China w ere analyzed. To prevent the further deterioration of acid rain and SO, pol lution effectively, the Acid Rain Control Zones and SO2 Pollution Control Z ones (Two Control Zones called for short) were designated. The range of Two Control Zones was 1.09 x 10(6) km(2), 11.4% of the whole territory of Chin a, with SO2 emissions of 14 million tons in 1995. The Acid Rain Control Zon e involves 14 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities, with total a rea of 0.806 x 10(6) km(2). The SO2 Pollution Control Zone includes 63 citi es with total area of 0.29 x 10(6) km(2). The control policies to be implem ented in the Two Control Zones were formulated by the method of life cycle analysis on sulfur-in-coal. The impacts of the policy implementation on ene rgy industry, including coal industry and power industry, were calculated a nd analyzed. It was proved that the policy implementation would improve the thermal power mix and promote the sustainable development of energy indust ry. The paper also analyzed the decrease of SO2 emission and the improvemen t of air quality in the cities in recent years, which were achieved by the control efforts.