China Meets Goal of Reducing Energy Intensity by 20% from 2005 to 2010

China claims that the goal of reducing energy intensity by 20% over 5 years has been met. The article should state BTW that energy intensity was cut 14.4% "by" 2009 not "in" 2009. A lot of us were skeptical that China could achieve this target. Two things helped achieve the target:

1. Revisions to GDP that resulted in the growth rate of GDP in the earlier years of the period being revised up.

2. The blackouts and plant shutdowns described in the article. It's not clear if the plants were temporarily or permanently closed. But the lights will definitely go back on for the moment.