[philipkglass]

These "ultra low emissions" coal plants are designed to limit emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates. If all the emissions control equipment is used as designed it will reduce acid rain and smog. It won't reduce carbon dioxide emissions though.

The other problem that China has had is getting coal plants to run their emissions control equipment all the time, even when inspectors aren't on site: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-coal-power/china-of...

Beijing has spent billions of yuan creating a surveillance system to monitor companies around the clock. In 2013, the state launched a nationwide crackdown after the Ministry of Environmental Protection accused plants of trying to cut costs by turning off or manipulating emissions control equipment.

See here for a description of what emissions the ultra low emissions designation addresses: https://www.chinadialogue.net/blog/7638-Can-ultra-low-emissi...