Question : Emission from Coal based Power Plants

(a) whether the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently issued notices to many coal based power plants for non-compliance with international emission norms;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether several coal based power plants owned by private and Government agencies situated at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu are releasing heavy sulphur dioxide, lead, mercury, nickel, cadmium, arsenic and other heavy metal contents; and
(d) if so, the details of such thermal power plants at Thoothukudi along with the details of effluents being released by each plant?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) & (b) The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued show cause directions to 31 units of 14 thermal power plants on 31.01.2020 for non-compliance of CPCB’s directions dated 11.12.2017 issued for ensuring compliance of emission standards prescribed by Government of India . The list ofthermal power plants is at Annexure.

(c) & (d) Metals like mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead and chromium are emitted intrace quantities from coal/lignite based thermal power plants. However, the major emissions from these plants are of Particulate Matter (PM), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), for which emission standards have been notified. Emission standards have also been notifiedfor mercury.