China to consider draft energy law this year

A draft of China's first energy law is likely to be submitted to senior officials later this year, following international consultation on its contents, an official Chinese newspaper reported on Saturday.
The proposed legislation will be sent to China's State Council, or government cabinet, and an international meeting will discuss the draft in April, the China Daily reported, citing energy officials.
The law "will be the overarching one for the country's energy industry and trade," the paper said, citing He Yongjian from the office of the National Energy Leading Group. It will address energy planning, exploration, conservation, reserves and technological innovation, He told the paper.
China, the world second-biggest energy user after the United States, has seen explosive growth in consumption of oil, coal and power as its economy has boomed.