Thanks TDA.There sure is a lot of interesting stuff on China and...

Thanks TDA.

There sure is a lot of interesting stuff on China and their power usage/generation. Was just reading about the Three Gorges Dam, pretty impressive, but only good if there is water! They don't even have enough coal...

"..the Chinese government is now urging the countrys factory operators to scale back operations to ensure sufficient power to heat homes, as demand has surged. "Our facilities are in excellent shape, but we lack coal. It's like cooking without rice.""

Three Gorges dam fails to provide during winter storm
January 6, 2010
http://www.probeinternational.org/three-gorges-probe/three-gorges-dam-fails-provide-during-winter-storm

China in grip of a cold snap and an energy crunch
January 8, 2010
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/bronwen_maddox/article6980121.ece

IULTY is still recommended by MCF too which is good to see.
Merriman Curhan Ford Top Picks for 2010

A few other interesting bits i found,

Every year, air pollution in China causes as many as 400,000 premature deaths and 75 million asthma attacks.
..
If sustainable energy can be produced in a cost-effective way, the government will happily back it, and the central government has set a target of generating 15 per cent of all electricity from renewable sources by 2020.


15% isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things really.
Having been to Beijing and not being able to see the sun for a week due to pollution, I can see how people get sick.