Economic slowdown, Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan makes it difficult to comply with air pollution norms: Power ministry
The ministry has sought further extension of deadline as it is difficult to source flue gas desulphurization systems, which help control SO2 emissions from thermal power plants
The Centre is considering deferring the deadline by two more years for thermal power plants to comply with norms to reduce air pollution by 2022 because of the economic slowdown linked to Covid-19 pandemic and difficulties due to curbs on imports from China in sourcing systems that help control toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, officials aware of the matter said.
Thermal power plants are one of the largest sources of particulate matter (PM) pollution and SO2, which can harm the human respiratory system. Superior emission standards for thermal power plants were notified in December 2015 for implementation by the 2017 end. The deadline was revised to 2022 nationwide because of resistance from the thermal power industry. The Supreme Court also ordered an extension.
The officials said the power ministry has sought further deadline extension citing the economic slowdown and India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (self-reliant India campaign), which is making it difficult to source flue gas desulphurization (FGD) systems to control SO2 emissions. “The power ministry has approached us [Union environment ministry]. They are finding it difficult to meet the 2022 deadline both because of Covid-19 and curbs on imports from China. We are considering the matter. We may have to give the thermal power plants time to deliver on the deadline,” said Union environment ministry secretary RP Gupta.
Power ministry officials said nearly 300 thermal power plants out of 441 are to award bids for FGD. “One of the main problems is that FGD, which is an aggregated unit, is manufactured in China, and hence has to be imported from there. Since we have curbs on importing Chinese equipment, it is a difficult situation,” said a power ministry official, who did not want to be named.
The India-China ties have been strained since 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese troopers in Ladakh in June. The killings prompted India to tightened rules to restrict Chinese investments in India and to curb trade with China.
The power ministry official cited above said since the matter also is sub-judice, they either need to get an extension from the Supreme Court or the environment ministry will have to amend its 2015 notification.
The Supreme Court in June rejected a request by power producers to extend the deadline to install equipment to cut emissions by two years to 2024.
Centre for Science and Environment executive director Anumita Roy Chowdhury said it is not just power plants. “All sectors are trying to delay standards and deadlines now. But you cannot delay an environmental regulation which has huge public health implications. Globally, there is a move towards green recovery. We need a clear fiscal policy for the implementation of the norms within the deadline.”
According to a Centre for Science and Environment assessment, the implementation of the emission norms can cut down emissions of PM by 35%, SO2 by 80%, and NOx by 42%. They can also bring down freshwater use by the industry.
The National Green Tribunal, in an order on a case related to the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme on August 21, said 175 air quality monitoring stations need to be completed within the next six months. It also directed state pollution control boards to conduct carrying capacity and source apportionment studies by utilising their environmental compensation fund.