The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) on Tuesday introduced a proposal to speed up emission reduction plans for coal-fired power plants with new incentives such as price subsidies.
The MEP said all coal-fired power plants with conditions for reconstruction will attempt to meet the "ultra low emission" standard by 2020, and new coal-fired plants will also be required to meet that standard, according to the Economic Information Daily.
Emission reduction plans for the eastern part of China will be completed by 2017, rather than the previous deadline of 2020, while the central area will finish reduction plans by 2018 and the western region by 2020, the report said.
The MEP will offer unspecified incentives such as price subsidies and financial support for power plants to meet the standard.
Power plants that don't meet the standard will face higher fees.
