<p> In a bizarre draft regulation released by a province in China, climate resources like wind and solar power belong to the state and that any exploitation of such resources will require permission from the provincial authorities.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The draft regulation for the new energy sector released by Heilongjiang province will take effect Aug 1, the Global Times reported.<br /><br />The draft has led to criticism from the people, and some think it is ridiculous to say climate resources are state-owned.<br /><br />"Will I have to pay the government in order to enjoy the sunshine, or can I get paid by the government if I get sunburned?" one netizen wrote on social network Weibo.<br />The provincial meteorological bureau said the new regulation does not concern individuals but companies.<br /><br />Private companies in the new energy are concerned that the regulation may make it more difficult to start a project.<br /><br />"If the government wants to further develop the sector, it should help to clear the way for companies, instead of setting up new obstacles," a wind turbine company owner said.<br />Heilongjiang is rich in wind power resources. The provincial government will invest over 23 billion yuan (around $3.7 billion) this year to develop the sector.<br /><br />The regulation says that a company must hand over climate data to the authorities. Any violation of the rules could incur a fine of up to 50,000 yuan (around $7,900).<br />An official said the regulation only aims to standardize new-energy utilization and reduce irregularities in the sector.<br /><br />Since many new-energy companies are joint ventures, the meteorological bureau needs to have some control over the climate data to avoid it being leaked to foreign countries.</p>
<p> In a bizarre draft regulation released by a province in China, climate resources like wind and solar power belong to the state and that any exploitation of such resources will require permission from the provincial authorities.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The draft regulation for the new energy sector released by Heilongjiang province will take effect Aug 1, the Global Times reported.<br /><br />The draft has led to criticism from the people, and some think it is ridiculous to say climate resources are state-owned.<br /><br />"Will I have to pay the government in order to enjoy the sunshine, or can I get paid by the government if I get sunburned?" one netizen wrote on social network Weibo.<br />The provincial meteorological bureau said the new regulation does not concern individuals but companies.<br /><br />Private companies in the new energy are concerned that the regulation may make it more difficult to start a project.<br /><br />"If the government wants to further develop the sector, it should help to clear the way for companies, instead of setting up new obstacles," a wind turbine company owner said.<br />Heilongjiang is rich in wind power resources. The provincial government will invest over 23 billion yuan (around $3.7 billion) this year to develop the sector.<br /><br />The regulation says that a company must hand over climate data to the authorities. Any violation of the rules could incur a fine of up to 50,000 yuan (around $7,900).<br />An official said the regulation only aims to standardize new-energy utilization and reduce irregularities in the sector.<br /><br />Since many new-energy companies are joint ventures, the meteorological bureau needs to have some control over the climate data to avoid it being leaked to foreign countries.</p>
