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9/22/11 (AEIN) China's government plans to regulate thermal and nuclear power plants more strictly so as to reduce pollution and improve safety. Additional regulations will come into effect during the rest of 2011 and early 2012, state media reported on Thursday.
New regulations on thermal power stations will aim to decrease emissions and prevent acid rain, according to the China Daily. The plants harm human health and damage the environment by releasing mercury, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants.
The Chinese government is likely to restart the approval of nuclear power construction projects early in 2012 after new safety regulations have been enacted, according to the Global Times. New construction was suspended after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster began.
As the world's most populous nation and one of its main manufacturers, China uses large quantities of electricity. In addition to nuclear power and coal (often imported from Australia), it generates power by operating many hydroelectric dams.