BEIJING: Chinese power plants are running out of coal, with less than three days' supply in some areas, the government said Tuesday, adding to China's logistical headaches amid earthquake relief efforts.

It is the second time in three months that Chinese power plants have run short of coal, reflecting the unintended effect of Beijing's awkward use of price controls — a throwback to communist central planning — to shield its public from record global energy costs.

Some 32 power plants already have shut down due to lack of fuel, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission said in a report. It said two were in Sichuan province, where last week's magnitude 7.9 quake damaged the power supply grid. ... Read full article