New thermal plant norms “extremely lax”

“Extremely lax” norms for thermal power plants released

Experts say, revised norms for thermal power plants, have failed to address climate concerns raised during public consultation. Water consumption of toxic-emitting new plants has been fixed to “extremely lax” 3.0 m3/MWh. Compared to this, China’s worst performers subcritical 600 MW plant operate with 1.96 m3/MWh, in S Africa its 2.32m3/MWh. The increased water “can meet domestic needs of 44000 people”.

Meanwhile, top ministry official said starting 2019, India will cut down emissions of all old power plants to national standards by 2022, and shut down “very old” plants.

London Stock Exchange drops Vedanta post Oppn. demands

Vedanta has been delisted from London Stock Exchange following demands from UK oppositionover the killing of 13 protestors in police firing in anti-Sterlite protest in Tuticorin. The firm has also been dropped from ex-Japan portfolio.

Delhi notifies list of permissible fuels

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) issued list of permissible fuels for National Capital Territory. All businesses have to comply within 90 days. Permitted fuels include Bharat Stage VI compliant petrol and diesel with 10 ppm sulphur, LPG, natural gas/CNG, aviation turbine fuel, firewood for crematoriums and religious purposes, wood charcoal for hotels/restaurants/banquet halls/eateries having emission channelization/control systems and Biogas. Coal with low sulphur (less than 0.4%) is permitted only in thermal power plants.

Delhi Clean Air Plan “Floundering”, 83% plants to miss deadline

A new CSE study says, Delhi-NCR’s “comprehensive clean air action plan is floundering”, as power plants and brick kilns are set to miss December 2019 emission deadline. “83% thermal plants will not be able to comply with SO2 emission cuts and 50% of installed capacity in the region have not reported on NOx control compliance. About 35% of installed capacity is set to violate Particulate Matter compliance deadline.

Clean air action programme yet to see the light of day: Greenpeace

Climate campaigners including Greenpeace India sent recommendations to the ministry on the National Clean Air Programme saying the NCAP draft released on April 17 didn’t set timelines and emission targets for the most polluting sectors of thermal plants and industry. While China released its second action plan against air pollution, India’s clean air action programme is “yet to see the light of day,” Greenpeace said.

Goa U-turn: Coal polluter allowed to pollute afresh

In a bizarre U-turn, Goa pollution control board gave fresh permit to JSW group to import coal through Goa, months after it banned JSW for flouting air quality laws.

The board also said it was allowing JSW to resume operations, so that a pending IIT Bombay study can collect samples to study how bad the pollution is.

Ella: First death directly linked to air pollution

Nine-year-old Ella’s death is the first to have been directly linked to air pollution, she lived 25m from London’s South Circular Road, a pollution “hotspot”. Following 3 years of seizures she died in February 2013. During that time, local air pollution levels breached EU legal limits.

‘One pollution death, for every 2 coal jobs”

A new study says Trump’s plan to revive dying coal and N-plants could lead to premature deaths. “For every 2 to 4.5 coal mining jobs the plan protects, there would be 1 human death due to SO2, NOx over the next two years.”

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