Central Chinese government urges energy conservation
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The Government Offices Administration of the State Council, China's cabinet, called on government organs Thursday to ensure enhanced energy conservation efforts.
Central government organs should save more electricity, petroleum and water to help the country meet its emission targets, a statement issued after an energy-saving conference held by the Government Offices Administration said.
China has vowed to reduce national energy intensity by 20 percent and major emissions by 10 percent between 2006 and 2010.
Departments or individuals found wasting energy will be "strictly punished," the statement reads.
The administration's figures show central government organs have achieved declines of 17.03 percent and 39.78 percent in per capita electricity consumption and water use, respectively, since 2006.
Consumption of petroleum declined 26.67 percent in the two years of 2008 and 2009 compared with previous years.
The administration, however, warned that the energy-saving task is still tough as the first quarter of the year saw increased energy consumption by central government departments.
In the first three months of the year, central government organs' consumption of electricity and petroleum increased 9.56 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively, according to the administration.
The administration asked government departments to send specially-assigned personnel to patrol offices and check on wasteful behavior like leaving air-conditioners on while working with the windows open, having lights on during the day and leaving taps running, the statement said.
