Question : Emission by Thermal Power Plants

(a) whether the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to clarify its stand on coal based thermal power plants which are causing emission beyond permissible limits;
(b) if so, the present status of coal based thermal power plants which are causing emission beyond permissible limits;
(c) whether CPCB has asked various coal based power plants to adopt latest technologies so that emission by such plants across the country is properly checked; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) and (b) The Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit a status report regarding Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in Ganga basin and its tributaries. The TPPs in the country are required to meet new emission standards notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on 07.12.2015 which came into force from 07.12.2017. As per available information, 60% of identified 196 GW capacity in respect of independent power producers is in compliance with respect to particulate matter. With respect to other plants and parameters, a strict timeline has been laid down for compliance in a time-bound manner. The timelines have been laid down taking into account proximity to habitations, supply side constraints, need to provide access to electricity to around 300 million people who still do not have access to it, combat indoor air pollution and to maintain the overall stability of power supply in the country. The monitored data under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme shows that in general the ambient concentration of SO2, NOx are below permissible limits except few locations.

(c) and (d) The above notification does not lay down any specific technology for controlling the prescribed emissions from TPPs.

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