Chinese activists collect signatures against proposed power plant in Heyuan in Guangdong
Residents of Heyuan in Guangdong fear the plant will increase air pollution in their city
Heyuan residents yesterday collected signatures for a petition that calls for plans for a new power plant to be scrapped, saying it will bring more smog to the already polluted skies of the northeastern Guangdong city.
Shenzhen Energy is spending 8 billion yuan (HK$10 billion) to build the coal-fired plant, which will generate 11 billion kWh annually.
It is designed to emit less pollution than regular plants, according to local authorities, although the environmental impact assessment report has yet to be made public. The city is home to Xinfengjiang reservoir, a significant source of water for Hong Kong, and already has one coal-fired plant supplying electricity. Construction is due to begin this year, according to local media.
The signature campaign began at 9am and was carried out at 10 locations across the city, according to a volunteer. By 9pm, they had collected more than 30,000 names, other volunteers said.
To avoid being charged with illegal assembly, organisers asked people to walk away after signing. If more than 10 people gathered at a collection point, those waiting their turn were asked to stand some way off.
"All I know is Heyuan started to see smog [after the first power plant started to operate]," said one petitioner, a private tutor. "Money can't buy me and my students clear air."