These Regulations aim to promote energy conservation by all sectors of the society, utilize energy in a rational and effective manner, protect and improve the environment, and promote the overall balanced and sustainable economic and social development. The Regulations consist of 54 Articles divided into 6 Chapters: General Provisions (I); Administration of Energy Conservation (II); Rational Utilization of Energy (III); Technical Advancement and Incentive Measures f or Energy Conservation (IV); Legal Liabilities (V); Supplementary Provisions (VI).
The administrative authority for economy and information technology of the local people's governments shall be in charge of energy conservation and the supervision and administration thereof. The local governments at or above the county level shall incorporate energy conservation in their plans for national economic and social development and their annual plans, and organize the drawing up and implementation of long- and medium-term special programs for energy conservation and annual plans for the same. A system of energy conservation assessment and review shall be implemented on fixed assets projects for investment and the provincial people's government shall formulate specific measures for implementation. The local governments shall make scientific planning for the development of energy programs, optimize the structure of energy consumption, encourage and support the exploitation and utilization of clean energy such as natural gas, clean coal, and countryside methane and renewable energy like solar energy and wind energy, and enhance the comprehensive development and utilization of biomass energy like crop stalks and combustible wastes.