US EPA seeks to revoke determination on climate change hazards. Two departments issue the "Basic rules for metering and settlement in the electricity market"
（2025/08/04—2025/08/10）
Author: Shu-Xin Zhang
International Energy News
1. US EPA seeks to revoke determination on climate change hazards
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently unveiled a proposal to revoke a key scientific determination made in a 2009 research report regarding the hazards of greenhouse gas emissions to public health and well-being. This determination has been regarded as a crucial legal basis for the US government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, promote the development of electric vehicles, and address climate change. In its statement, the EPA pointed out that the 2009 determination had incurred regulatory costs exceeding 1 trillion, and revoking it was expected to save 54 billion annually. The statement claimed that if the proposal is ultimately approved, all greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles and their engines would be abolished, thereby restoring consumer choice in vehicle purchases, reducing transportation costs, and easing the financial burden on households. The EPA administrator stated that the proposal aims to end the policy uncertainty faced by US automakers and consumers over the past 16 years. However, critics argue that revoking this determination would not only abolish existing restrictions on emission sources such as automobiles, factories, and power plants but also weaken the federal government's future capacity to address climate change, with far-reaching consequences.
2. EU Provides €240 million in aid to serbia for energy efficiency and renewable energy transition
EU has approved a €240 million non-repayable grant for Serbia from the Pre-accession Assistance funds to support the "Multi-annual Action Programme for Environment and Energy," with a total budget of €325.2 million. The remaining funds will be provided by Serbia. The programme covers the planning period from 2024 to 2027 and will be implemented from 2025 to 2032.
According to the financing agreement signed by both parties, the funds will be primarily invested in waste and wastewater management and water projects (€141.9 million), improving air quality and energy efficiency (€140 million), and providing technical support (€43.3 million). The mechanism will be operated by national institutions under an indirect management model, consistent with the way EU member states carry out projects within the framework of the Cohesion and Regional Development Funds. The fund allocation plan indicates that €44.9 million, €108 million, €76.8 million, and €95.5 million have been earmarked for the years 2024 to 2027, respectively. The Ministry of European Integration stated that this agreement represents another form of support during the EU accession process.
3. India's first "Made in India" hydrogen plant sets a new benchmark for the country
Recently, the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in India inaugurated the country's first "Made in India" green hydrogen plant at Kandla Port in Gujarat, marking a historic step in India's pursuit of clean energy and sustainable development. With a generating capacity of 1 megawatt, the plant represents a significant milestone in India's efforts towards maritime decarbonization and the application of green energy. Constructed in just four months, the plant serves as the first phase of a planned 10-megawatt green hydrogen facility, underscoring India's commitment to sustainable and renewable energy solutions. The electrolyzers used in the project are locally manufactured, representing a key achievement of the "Make in India" initiative.
Initially, the plant will supply green hydrogen to power 11 buses and streetlights at the port. In the future, DPA plans to expand its application to all port operational vehicles, tugs, and vessels, significantly reducing carbon emissions at the port and setting a benchmark for other Indian ports. The project is expected to add 5 megawatts of capacity by the end of the current fiscal year, with the entire 10-megawatt facility becoming fully operational by mid-next fiscal year, reaching an annual production capacity of approximately 140 metric tons. DPA stated that the project represents a crucial step towards maritime decarbonization, reinforcing India's global standing in sustainable port operations and elevating the application of green hydrogen—the "fuel of the future"—to new heights.
Domestic energy news
1. Two departments issue the "Basic rules for metering and settlement in the electricity market"
On August 6, the "Basic rules for metering and settlement in the electricity market" (hereinafter referred to as the "Rules"), jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, were officially released. The "Rules" aim to accelerate the construction of a unified national electricity market and strengthen the management of metering and settlement in the electricity market. The introduction of the "Rules" marks the completion of the "1+6" foundational rule system for the electricity market, which is based on the "Basic rules for the operation of the electricity market," with medium- and long-term, spot, and ancillary service rules as the main framework, and information disclosure, market registration, and metering and settlement as supporting components. This lays a solid rule-based foundation for the construction of a unified national electricity market.
To enhance metering business management, the "Rules" require that market participants should possess independent metering capabilities, with metering devices meeting the requirements for the smallest settlement unit and installed at property boundary points. Metering data must satisfy the minimum settlement time intervals and cycle requirements. Regarding the standardization of settlement business management, the "Rules" clarify the rights and obligations of various market members, including market participants, electricity trading institutions, power dispatching institutions, and grid enterprises, in terms of settlement. They standardize the entire settlement business process, including settlement preparation, settlement basis, electricity bill preparation and issuance, electricity fee collection and payment, adjustments, refunds, supplements, and liquidation, as well as the associated time limits. The "Rules" also unify the units of measurement and the format of settlement items, as well as the settlement cycle, specifying that regions with continuous spot market operations should adopt a "daily clearing and monthly settlement" model in principle.
2. World's first 660MW ultra-supercritical "W" flame boiler successfully completes trial operation
On August 6, Unit 1 of the Guizhou Jinyuan Zhijin "Replacing Small Units with Large Ones" Relocation and Reconstruction Project (2×660MW) by State Power Investment Corporation successfully passed a 168-hour full-load trial operation. During the trial period, the unit operated stably, demonstrating excellent performance indicators with an average load rate reaching 90%. This marks that Unit 1, equipped with the world's first 660MW ultra-supercritical "W" flame boiler, is fully prepared for formal commercial operation.
As a core innovation of the project, the world's first 660MW ultra-supercritical "W" flame boiler has achieved significant technological breakthroughs. Its designed standard coal consumption rate for power generation is as low as 284.01 grams per kilowatt-hour, saving 20 grams of standard coal per kilowatt-hour compared to other traditional flame coal-fired units of the same type, resulting in an annual savings of 120,000 tons of standard coal and meeting international advanced standards. Additionally, the project employs coal-bed methane ignition technology, reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,366 tons. Furthermore, a fleet of pure electric vehicles has been introduced for in-plant coal transportation, achieving zero carbon emissions during the transportation process. It is reported that upon full completion and operation, the project will generate approximately 6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, with an output value of around 2 billion yuan, and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 300,000 tons per year, equivalent to planting 2 million trees.
3. Improving the price mechanism for natural gas pipeline transportation within provinces
Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued the "Guidelines on Improving the Price Mechanism for Natural Gas Pipeline Transportation within Provinces to Promote High-Quality Development of the Industry" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines"). The Guidelines require local authorities to refine the price mechanism for natural gas pipeline transportation within their respective provinces. Firstly, it clarifies that the pricing for natural gas pipeline transportation within provinces shall be determined by provincial development and reform departments, with the pricing authority generally not being delegated further downward. Secondly, it specifies the implementation of a unified pricing model, transitioning from "one price per pipeline" and "one price per enterprise" to zonal pricing or a unified provincial price, achieving effective alignment with the pricing mechanism for cross-provincial natural gas pipeline transportation and facilitating the formation of a "national network." Thirdly, it outlines that the pricing for natural gas pipeline transportation within provinces shall be determined based on the "allowed cost plus reasonable profit" method, with provisions made for relevant pricing parameters.
The Guidelines also call for enhanced construction, operation, and management of natural gas pipelines within provinces. Firstly, provincial energy authorities are required to take unified responsibility for planning natural gas pipelines within their provinces, optimizing pipeline layouts, reducing transportation layers, and avoiding redundant construction. Secondly, it emphasizes the need to strengthen the review and approval of investment projects, strictly controlling the addition of unnecessary intermediate links and projects that hinder efficient resource utilization, promoting centralized and integrated operations, and improving the operational efficiency of pipeline networks. Additionally, the Guidelines put forward relevant requirements for reducing gas supply costs by streamlining supply links and regulating market order to promote fair and open access.
(Main news sources: CCTVNEWS APP, Xinhua New Media, International Energy Network, China Energy Network, National Energy Administration)
