The Environment Ministry on July 11 Exempted the Majority of India’s coal-based themal plan from installing systems that are designed to remove sulphur dioxides (SO2) Emisions, Air Conutor to Air Loll. Known as Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) devices, these systems cut SO2 from flue gas, which is a residue from thermal plant.
Of the remaining plant, those around Delhi-Ncr has to comply with a December 2027 deadline, and the rest will be asked to fit the devices on a case-to-cas basis. Originally, these plants had to install FGD devices by 2017. Howver, over the years, they have received several extensions to comply.
What is the reason behind the center’s move? What do the revised rules preactly say? And why have some experts criticized the decision?
But first, why are SO2 emissions from thermal plants an issue?
Once released into the atmosphere, SO2 usually reacts with ammonia (NH3) to Produce ammonium sulfate, which responsible for roughly one-Third of India’s fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Pollution, according to re -recent research by the center for research on energy and clear air (Crea). PM2.5 is injurious to human health as it can lead to chronic disseas such as asthama, heart attack, bronchitis, and other responses problems.
Direct Exposure to High Levels of SO2 Can irritate the eyes, throt, and lungs. Long-Term Exposure Can Result in Increased Risk of Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Premature Death, According To Crea.
SO2 also affects the environment as it contributes to the form of acid rain, which can damage ecosystems.
One of the biggest sources of SO2 emissions in India is the power sector, especially the coal-based thermal plants. The Crea Research Found the SO2 Levels Were Higher In 2023 Compared to 2019, with a notable increment in regions dominated by coal-based thermal plants. This highlighted “The influence of power plant emissions on air quality”, the research said.
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What has the government done to address the issue over the years?
In 2015, the environment ministry notified the first-experience emission for control of so2 and other harmful substances from coal-based thermal plants. These were the required to install FGD devices by December 2017.
Howver, this did not happen as the deadline was extended four times at the request of the thermal plants. They argued that the installation of FGD devices was costly, and could find the search as something as disruption of power supply to shutdown for installation, and an increase in electricity bills.
To address these concusserns, the centre amended the emission Norms in 2021.
Category A: Plants located with a 10 km radius of the national capital region (NCR) or cities having a million-plus population. Their deadline for compliance was 2022.
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Category b: Plants located with a 10 km radius of critically polluted area or non-atainment cities. Their deadline was. 2023.
Category c: Maining plant whose deadline was. 2024.
Note that nearly 78% of the plants were put in category C. about 11% was in category a, and the rest was in category B.
The latest change in the names has exempted category C plan from installing FGD devices. Category a plan, which in operation and under construction, have to comply by the end of 2027. The centre will decide for category b plants on a case-by-casis.
The environment ministry has also said that plants which are supposed to retire before December 2030 will not be required to meet the SO2 emission writes, provided they subded an underretaking for examption.
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What is Behind the latest change in Norms?
According to the centre, the change in the names is based on three studies, which suggest fgd devices are not necessary for coal-bassed them. These studies have been carried out by the Indian Institute of Technology -Delhi, the National Institute of Advanced Sciences (Nias), and the National Environmental Engineing Research Institute (Neveri).
The studies have argued against the installation of FGD devices, say that SO2 levels around the plant are we have the Norms prescribed under the national ambient air quality standard. They have also suggested that the government needs to focus on curbing not just so2 emissions but rather the overall party pollution around the plants.
The IIT-D and Nias Studies have said that while REDUCING SO2 emissions, the operation of FGD devices has increased carbon dioxide and pm pollution.
All three studies were commissioned by the government or its agencies. For Example, The Neeri Research was Commissioned by Niti Aayog.
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Why have experts criticized the change in Norms?
Experts have said that the claim made by the studies that SO2 Levels Around Plants are low is misleading. For Instance, Crea in a Statement Said, “The Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) Don ‘Capture The Real Impact of Power Power Pollution They Dr. Cartainly do account for chemical reactions that convert so₂ into other pollutants like PM2.5. “
A 2021 analysis by the centre for science and environment (CSE) also conteted this claim. It said that plumes from the power station travel long distances of 300 km, and during this time, they get converted to secondary pollutants. The analysis also found that atmospheric lifetime of SO2 was about 10 days.