The Stream, September 12: China Announces Plans to Cut Coal Use

Pollution
The Chinese government has released a plan to reduce coal’s share of the country’s energy supply to 65 percent by 2017, AlertNet reported. The plan is meant to curb air pollution, but could also affect water supplies that are used in the mining and burning of coal.

Levels of radioactive tritium are once again on the rise in groundwater near Japan’s damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to measurements released this week by the plant’s operators, Reuters reported. Japan’s ongoing struggle with wastewater at Fukushima has led to criticism about the country’s successful bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

Philippines Water Rates
Two utilities that provide water to Manila were denied requests to raise their rates, and instead were ordered to reduce rates, Bloomberg News reported. The companies argue that the added revenue would fund investments, and that the cuts will hinder their ability to serve customers.

Colorado Floods
Communities near Boulder, Colorado are bracing for another 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain following flash floods that killed two people and destroyed buildings, Reuters reported. Hundreds of people, including 400 students at the University of Colorado at Boulder, have been evacuated.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek