我国多地区陷入天然气供应告急
Some regions in China, especially northern provinces, are facing an acute shortage of natural gas as the demand for heating is rising in winter, since the government is making efforts to ban the burning of coal to curb air pollution. The shortfall in natural gas has sparked resentment after some households in these regions have not been supplied with natural gas for winter heating either due to a gas supply shortage or lagging gas pipeline construction. While it is the right time for authorities to replace coal with natural gas for cleaner air, local governments need to proceed cautiously to avoid disrupting people's lives in cold weather, experts warned. The Hebei Development and Reform Commission has raised an orange alert for a shortage of natural gas since Nov 28, which means the province is short by 10-20%, news portal Caixin reported. Local media also reported a similar shortage in other regions, such as Shaanxi and Shandong provinces and Ningxia Hui autonomous region. China Energy News reported that the average price of natural gas in China has risen to about 7,600 yuan per ton from 4,000 yuan two weeks ago. |