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Quantifying coal power plant responses to tighter SO 2 emissions standards in China

Author

Listed:
  • Valerie J. Karplus

    (Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139)

  • Shuang Zhang

    (Department of Economics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309)

  • Douglas Almond

    (School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027)

Abstract

We evaluate the impact of China’s new air pollution standards on sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emissions by comparing newly available data from Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) at coal power plants with satellite measures. First, we show that following the July 2014 deadline for implementing tighter emissions standards, stack concentrations of SO 2 reported by CEMS declined by 13.9%. Second, on average the ratios of the declines of SO 2 measures in the satellite data and the CEMS data are about 0.5. However, the degree of correspondence between the two data sources varies by policy stringency, with weak correspondence found in key regions facing the toughest new limits. Third, large plants achieved compliance earlier than small (typically) power and heat cogeneration plants. To achieve continued air quality improvement, our results suggest a need for increased scrutiny of emissions data quality and monitoring practices and clear long-term targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie J. Karplus & Shuang Zhang & Douglas Almond, 2018. "Quantifying coal power plant responses to tighter SO 2 emissions standards in China," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 115(27), pages 7004-7009, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:7004-7009
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    Cited by:

    1. Dong, Yan & Tian, Jinhuan & Wen, Qiang, 2022. "Environmental regulation and outward foreign direct investment: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    2. Zhou, Qianling & Li, Tao & Gong, Liutang, 2022. "The effect of tax incentives on energy intensity: Evidence from China's VAT reform," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    3. Mao, Jie & Wang, Chunhua & Yin, Haitao, 2023. "Corporate responses to air quality regulation: Evidence from a regional environmental policy in China," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    4. Agarwal, Sumit & Han, Yajie & Qin, Yu & Zhu, Hongjia, 2023. "Disguised pollution: Industrial activities in the dark," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    5. Xiangyu Chang & Yinghui Huang & Mei Li & Xin Bo & Subodha Kumar, 2021. "Efficient Detection of Environmental Violators: A Big Data Approach," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(5), pages 1246-1270, May.
    6. Cao, Jing & Ho, Mun S. & Ma, Rong & Teng, Fei, 2021. "When carbon emission trading meets a regulated industry: Evidence from the electricity sector of China," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    7. Cao, Jing & Ma, Rong, 2023. "Mitigating agricultural fires with carrot or stick? Evidence from China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    8. Wang, Enci & Su, Bin & Zhong, Sheng & Guo, Qinxin, 2022. "China's Embodied SO2 Emissions and Aggregate Embodied SO2 Intensities in Interprovincial and International Trade," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    9. Yue, Hui & Worrell, Ernst & Crijns-Graus, Wina, 2021. "Impacts of regional industrial electricity savings on the development of future coal capacity per electricity grid and related air pollution emissions – A case study for China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PB).
    10. Zhou, Qianling & Cui, Xiaoyong & Ni, Hongfu & Gong, Liutang, 2022. "The impact of environmental regulation policy on firms' energy-saving behavior: A quasi-natural experiment based on China's low-carbon pilot city policy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).

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