Press Release
EPD statement on PAC report
In response to media enquiries on Public Account Committee's Report No. 44 which covers diesel vehicle emission control measures, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (July 6) that the Department would actively consider the PAC's recommendations in detail and take follow-up actions on them.
"Because of the motor vehicle emission control measures that we have introduced in recent years, we are seeing air quality improvement at the roadside," he said.
"Between 1999 and 2004, the motor vehicle control measures introduced by the government has reduced the level of roadside respirable suspended particulate (RSP) by nine per cent. The improvement was achieved despite an increase in the level of RSP at the general air quality stations by 15 per cent as a result of the deterioration of general air quality in the Pearl River Delta Region." he added.
The package of measures to combat vehicular emissions introduced since 1999 included -
(a) replacing nearly all diesel taxis with those running on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
(b) encouraging nearly 80% of new public light buses to use LPG instead of diesel by providing financial incentives.
(c) introducing ultra low sulphur diesel, i.e. Euro IV diesel, which is 86% less polluting than Euro III diesel.
(d) upgrading the statutory petrol standard to Euro IV.
(e) making it mandatory for all pre-Euro light diesel vehicles to retrofit particulate removal devices, and providing incentives to heavy diesel vehicles to do the same.
(f) tightening emission standards for new vehicles to Euro III at the same time as the European Union.
(g) increasing the fines for smoky vehicles more than two-fold to $1,000 and stepped up enforcement.
"EPD will continue its efforts in reducing motor vehicle emissions and will work closely with Guangdong to improve the regional air quality through implementing a Regional Air Quality Management Plan," he added.
Ends/Wednesday, July 06, 2005
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