Coal hub considered for North China

Base will turn fossil fuel into cleaner energy, reducing smog, say officials

Energy officials in North China's Shanxi province are considering creating a coal chemical base to turn the fossil fuel into clean energy after heavy smog blanketing the country looks set to affect the use of the raw material, officials said.

"As air quality keeps deteriorating in most regions of China, Shanxi must advance the establishment of the coal chemical modernization base in the province's northern area. The move will increase the province's supply of coal-transformed gas and oil to the rest of the country rather than just coal or coal-generated power.