Coal expansion in the works

China's State Council pledged to develop and utilize the nation's coal resources more efficiently to ensure supply stability. Among other things, the council, China's cabinet, said it would encourage coal mining companies to develop clean-coal technology while working to increase coal output by upgrading production systems and expanding major mines. The meeting, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, also agreed to work on pricing reform so electricity prices would be in line with price fluctuations of coal.