No one wants a dirty planet earth. We have an obligation to keep our air and water as clean as possible. However, we also have an obligation to feed, clothe, and house the people who live on earth. Sometimes there is a problem balancing all of that. Right now China illustrates that problem.

The Epoch Times is reporting today that China’s factory activity shrunk in September for the first time since February 2020, following sweeping curbs on electricity usage, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

China is trying to balance its energy needs with the needs of its economy and the needs of its people.

The article reports:

China is now in the grip of a power crunch as coal supply shortages, tougher emissions standards, and strong domestic demand push up coal prices to record highs. Some generators cut off power to reduce output or minimize losses.

Power rationing is currently taking place in at least nine provinces and regions. Local governments in major manufacturing hubs like the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangdong have asked factories to limit power usage or curb output.

Some power providers have sent notices to heavy users to either halt production during peak power periods that can run from 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., or shut operations entirely for two to three days a week.

The article concludes:

The power cut is mounting more pressure on the manufacturing sector.

This week, Goldman Sachs lowered China’s economic growth forecast this year to 7.8 percent from 8.2 percent, citing energy shortages and deep industrial output cuts.

China’s factory output growth also hit a 13-month low in August, NBS recorded.

Yet the September composite PMI, including both manufacturing and services activity, rose to 51.7 versus 48.9 in August.

If nothing else, this illustrates the need to bring the manufacturing sector back in America. Unfortunately the economic policies of the Biden administration will have exactly the opposite effect.