Hebei plans to launch pollution control laboratory

Hebei Province plans to set up a provincial research laboratory to support pollution control, however its efforts to combat pollution may be stymied by the relocation of major polluting enterprises from Beijing.

The lab is expected to conduct preliminary studies in early 2015 and it will study the formation and transportation of pollutants as well as atmospheric circulation in Hebei, the Beijing Times reported Thursday.

"It will offer technological support on environmental protection and management in Hebei," said Yan Yonglu, chief engineer at the provincial environmental monitoring center, according to the report.

Hebei has vowed to adjust its industrial structure and coal-based energy consumption pattern as it combats pollution, with 123 heavy polluters scheduled for relocation by 2017, said Yin Guangping, deputy chief of the provincial environmental protection department.

Beijing moved one polluting enterprise to Handan in Hebei, as part of effort to ease the capital's pollution. However, Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau said Wednesday that one-third of Beijing's PM 2.5 pollution derives from neighboring cities.

Lingyun, a Beijing-based subsidiary sodium bicarbonate producer of a State-owned enterprise, was relocated on Wednesday due to its aging equipment and high pollution.

Handan Mayor Hui Jian said the new production base will be equipped with more environmentally-friendly facilities and technology to cut emissions, reported the Xinhua.

Luo Yameng, an urban management expert, told the Global Times that instead of transferring polluters, provincial and municipal governments must shoulder the responsibility to control or punish heavy polluters in their own region.

"Beijing should at least provide technological support to Hebei to help cut emissions as we are all facing serious pollution," said Luo.