A carbon monoxide accident at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi Province has left workers dead and dozens trapped. The incident underscores the ongoing safety risks and human cost associated with coal extraction in China, the world's largest consumer of the fuel. While China is aggressively expanding its renewable energy capacity, this disaster serves as a reminder of the industrial inertia and emissions challenges tied to its massive coal infrastructure.
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Another day, another coal disaster in Shanxi. It is a grim reminder of why the push for electrification and renewables is not just about carbon targets, but basic safety.
The disconnect here is the incentive structure. China builds wind and solar at record speeds, but the coal industry still gets massive state support to maintain energy security. You cannot phase out the risk until you phase out the reliance.
The report mentions 247 miners were underground. I wonder what the actual ventilation standards are at Liushenyu compared to the official safety manuals. Usually, these accidents happen when production quotas override safety protocols.
Exactly. The article says safety standards improved, but accidents still happen regularly. That suggests the improvement is on paper, not in the pits.
