2018-2019 CONSIDERED AS THE MOST RESPONSIBLE YEARS TO COMBAT SMOG

Ulaanbaatar/MONTSAME/ The National Committee on reduction of environmental pollution, led by Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh, called a meeting on April 20 and discussed the progress of all-round actions planned to reduce environment pollution. At the meeting, Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh warned specifically that entry of raw coal would be forbidden to Ulaanbaatar beginning May 15, 2019. Moreover, the ban on vehicles without pollution filters will be enacted from the same day. Cautioning individuals, organizations and businesses to satisfy preparations for a period of one year, the PM instructed the committee members to disseminate relevant information through all possible forms. U.Khurelsukh considers that 2018 and 2019 are the most responsible years to combat smog and produce positive outcomes. It was agreed to use a soft loan worth USD500 million to be taken from S.Korea on reducing environmental pollution. Within this scope, 15 projects will be implemented in constructing apartments and rental flats, connecting ger area with engineering system, modernizing public transportation as well as erecting the infrastructure centers. In addition, it intends to amend related laws and establish a Fund for Air Pollution. Realization of these actions is estimated to reduce air pollution by 50 percent in the winter of 2019-2020. The Ministry of Energy is working to complete constructions of thermal power plants in 10 aimags by the half of 2020, within the S.Korean loan. Last year, 20 thousand households were provided energy-saving electrical heaters.The Cabinet decided to distribute electrical heaters to the same number of households at discounted price in the winter of 2018-2019. In addition, 50 thousand vulnerable households will get subsidies for purchasing improved fuel. During a Cabinet meeting, it was also decided to support enterprises with MNT 4 billion for their preparatory works to provide 202 thousand households in the air quality improvement zone with improved fuel and to issue government guarantee for the remaining MNT46.1 billion. Eight enterprises are considered capable to produce and distribute improved fuel constantly. A ton of improved fuel is projected to be around MNT150 thousand, or same price for a ton of raw coal. As 80 thousand tons of improved fuel must already be produced by the end of this year, a required financing was decided to be issued from the government and other sources to save time. The municipal government is working to connect steam boilers with centralized heating system, modernize air quality stations, construct rental flats, develop satellite cities, establish greeneries as well as reduce soil pollution. The National Committee also discussed more issues regarding issuance of mortgage loans, cleaning earth closets of ger area, implementing eco-friendly innovative project, commencing a constructional work of garbage processing plant within next month as well as others. M.Unurzul