Stricter norms to contain power plant pollution

The Times of India , Monday, January 04, 2016
Correspondent : Ashish Roy
Nagpur: In order to reduce air pollution by mushrooming coal-fired thermal power generation units, union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has formulated stricter pollution control norms for these units. The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, have been amended for this purpose. If these norms are followed by Mahagenco, Nagpurians will get some relief from air pollution caused by Koradi and Khaparkheda power plants. The strictest norms are for units that will be installed from January 2017 onwards.

The new norms have put restriction on water consumption by thermal units. Till now the water norms under these rules were related to pH value, temperature and level of various substances in the water used in cooling tower and boiler and that in the ash pond effluent.

The norms state that all units using a once through cooling system will have to install a cooling tower and restrict water consumption to 3.5 cubic metre per unit. This has to be done within the coming two years. The units having cooling tower will also have to adhere to water consumption restriction. New plants installed after January 1, 2017 will have to restrict water consumption to 2.5 cubic metre per unit and achieve zero waste water discharge.

Until now the rules contained standards only for particulate matter in thermal plant emissions. Now levels have been specified for sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen and mercury. The plants have been divided into three categories for this purpose. The first is the ones installed before December 31, 2002, the second one is for those installed between January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2016 and the third for those installed after January 1, 2017. The norms are progressively stricter for newer units.

In the earlier rules particulate matter was allowed up to 150 milligram per normal cubic metre (mg per Nm3) for units having generation capacity of 210MW or more and 350 mg per Nm3 for units less than 210MW capacity. Now for the first category the figure is 100 mg per Nm3, 50 mg for the second and 30 mg for new units.

While the new norms are welcome, it is a million dollar question whether Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will implement them. The record of the board officials in this regard leaves much to be desired.

STRICTER POLLUTION CONTROL NORMS

Earlier: Particulate matter | 150 mg / Nm3 for 210MW & above, 350 mg for smaller units

Amended: Particulate matter | 100 mg / Nm3 for units before 2003, 50 mg for 2003-2016 and 30 mg for 2017 & beyond

Earlier: No levels for sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and mercury

Amended: Levels specified for them depending on age of the generation unit

Earlier: No restriction on use of fresh water

Amended: Restriction of 3.5m3/unit for old and existing plant, 2.5m3 for new ones

Earlier: No compulsion for zero waste water discharge

Amended: Zero waste discharge mandatory for plants installed after 2016

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Stricter-norms-to-contain-power-plant-pollution/articleshow/50431124.cms
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us