More on China's Energy Policies

From an article posted at the Center for American Progress:

Even as China tries to advance its energy interests abroad, it is taking steps at home to manage its demand. The efficient use of oil and the use of oil alternatives where possible are two key planks of the Chinese government's oil strategy outlined in November 2002. To that end, they have initiated new fuel economy standards for cars and trucks sold in China. The first phase of the standards went into effect this year and range from 38 miles per gallon for the lightest cars to 19 miles per gallon for heavier trucks. In 2008, the standards will increase to 43 miles per gallon and 21 miles per gallon, respectively. Because the Chinese standards apply to each individual vehicle, rather than a vehicle class average as in the United States, American automakers may struggle to sell their vehicles, especially oil thirsty trucks, in the Chinese market. China is not stopping with efficiency requirements. They are also purchasing hybrids from abroad for immediate use and developing their own hybrid and fuel cell designs and manufacturing capabilities for the future. Already one of the largest markets for alternative fuel vehicles, they are the third largest ethanol producer in the world and are committed to expanding their fleet of natural gas- and biofuel-powered vehicles. In the electricity sector, the Chinese government has pursued energy efficiency standards since 1989 and late last year announced ten programs to improve energy efficiency in buildings and industries. They have identified three major ways to reduce the burning of coal for electricity - improve the efficiency of coal plants, put otherwise wasted heat to work in combined heat and power systems and construct new buildings that cut energy consumption in half. Concerned about global warming and recognizing the potential of the clean energy market, the Chinese government has recently committed to increasing its renewable energy use from the current level (less than one percent) to 10 percent by 2020 and has signed an agreement with the World Bank to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years. Whether or not you like the implications for the United States, China has developed a comprehensive energy strategy that addresses both supply and demand - unlike the president's energy plan and the one before the congressional energy conference committee this week. [...] CNOOC's bid for Unocal may create national and energy security problems for the United States, but so does the unwillingness of the Bush administration and congressional leadership to take actions that would curb our oil consumption and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Their inaction is especially reckless in light of the Department of Energy's 2004 analysis that global oil reserves are being depleted three times faster than they are being discovered and more recent warnings from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that within a decade they will be unable to meet projected global oil demand.