The Union Environment Ministry on Monday defended its order of July 11 which presented a revised structure for thermal power plants To meet sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission norms And said that unlike the “regulatory weakening claims”, the decision evidence, regional emission trends and stability were based on imperative.
The amended compliance structure of the ministry gave a large number of coal and lignite-based plants discount from the mandate of retro-fitting plants with grip gas disulfraise tools. The ministry said that there was no notable difference in the environment SO2 concentrations between cities, where plants had fitted technology versus those who were not.
SO2 is a harmful gas and is emitted when coal is burnt in energy production. It also supports the formation of secondary pollutants.
“On July 1, 537 TPP is based on the criteria behind the stake emission standards for the SO2 behind the stake emission standards for comprehensive counseling with stakeholders and research institutes, based on the criteria of sulfur dioxide emissions from extended thermal power plants, and its role in the overall environmental air pollution of the region, a statement of a ministry.
“In addition, the criteria were based on detailed scientific studies which were done by major institutions like IIT Delhi, National Institute of Advanced Studies as well as major institutions like National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) … In addition to the scientific examination by the Central Pollution Control Board,”.
The ministry said: “The current exposure level provides any reliable evidence to suggest that the SO2, under the prevailing environment, is a major public health concern. In addition, SO2 formed a relatively small fraction of sulfate (SIC) Erosol PM (SIC) Erosol PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5.”
The SO2 emission norms for coal and lignite power plants were first introduced in 2015. Later, the compliance of plants for plants was divided into three categories, depending on the location of the plants.
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The order of July 11 states that category A plants, which are located within 10 kilometers of the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) or cities with more than a million population will have to continue compliance with the criteria by the end of 2027.
Category B will apply to the case based on the case based on the recommendations of an expert assessment committee, not in compliance with the national environmental air quality standards, located within 10-kim of severely polluted areas or cities. For category C plants located outside these two areas, fully exemption will be given by completing the SO2 criteria. However, they have to follow the stack height criteria.
The ministry’s notification said that due to retiring before December 2030, thermal power plant would not be necessary to meet the SO2 emission norms, provided that they present an undertaking for the discount. Compensation will be imposed at the rate of Rs 0.40 per unit of electricity if they continue to work beyond the 2030 time.
Of the 600 units of coal fired power plants, 537 were identified for the establishment of a flu-gaid disulfurization (FGD) technology to curb the SO2 emissions.
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The ministry said that in a wide note as per some estimate, a capital expenditure of Rs 2.54 lakh crore would be required for nationwide retrofitting of coal-based capacity with FGD devices to meet the SO2 emission norms. The ministry said, “In the light of the environmental PM2.5 levels and the reduction in pollution, such investments should be carefully examined,” the ministry said.
“A modified sulfur dioxide emission policy is not a rolback of environmental safety measures, but a practical, scientific more targeted, cost-affected and scientific change towards climate-affected regulation. Said.
(Tagstotransite) Thermal Plants (T) Union Ministry of Environment (T) Coal Lignite based Thermal Plants (T) Flu Gas Disulfurization (T) Sulfur Dioxide Emission criteria for Indian Express
