Air pollution is a pressing concern in India, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) being one of the key contributors to this issue. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), along with other organizations, has made efforts to minimize air pollution levels and its hazards. However, according to a recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), it appears that many coal-based power plants will likely miss their emission standards deadlines.
The Emission Norms and Deadlines
In 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) set new emission norms. Initially, the government set a deadline of 2017 for thermal power plants to comply with emissions standards for installing Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) units that reduce toxic sulfur dioxide emissions. This deadline was later deferred with different timelines for different regions, the final one being 2022.
Categorisation of Power Plants
The CPCB established a task force to categorise the power plants. Category A includes those located within 10 km of the National Capital Region or cities with populations exceeding one million. These plants need to meet their emission standards by December 2022. In total, there are 79 coal-based power plants in this category. Meanwhile, 68 power plants fall under Category B, with a compliance deadline of December 2023, and 449 in Category C, with a deadline of December 2024.
Analysis of Compliance
The CSE analysis indicates that Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh are among the major defaulters. These are mostly state-run stations. Out of the 17 Indian states with coal-based thermal power stations, none except Assam is projected to fully comply with the stipulated deadlines.
The Penalty Mechanism
The penalty mechanism established against non-compliant units is seemingly ineffective. The imposed penalties may cost less than retrofitting pollution control equipment to meet the new norms. An environmental compensation has been introduced for plants that will fail to meet their deadlines, but the amount is considerably smaller compared to the cost of effective emission control.
Sulfur Dioxide Pollution
The burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities makes up the largest SO2 source. Other smaller sources include industrial processes like metal extraction, natural sources like volcanoes, and fuel-burning vehicles and heavy equipment with high sulfur content.
Impact of Sulfur Dioxide
SO2 can negatively impact both health and the environment. Short-term exposure can impair the human respiratory system, particularly in people with asthma. Additionally, emissions leading to high SO2 concentrations can also result in the formation of other sulfur oxides (SOx). These can subsequently react with other atmospheric compounds to form small particles, contributing to Particulate Matter (PM) pollution that can cause more health issues.
India’s Current Scenario
In 2019, India’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions significantly declined by approximately 6% from the previous year. This decrease was the steepest recorded in four years, as per a report from Greenpeace India and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Despite this improvement, India continues to be the largest SO2 emitter. To monitor the situation, an air quality sub-index for eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) has been developed.
