Besides tightening the emission norms, the ministry through the notification -issued on December 7 -also fixed water consumption parameters for all the plants, making it mandatory for them to use water more efficiently.
Under the revised norms, the new power plants (to be commissioned from January 1, 2017 onwards) will have to achieve `zero waste water discharge' standard by putting up adequate captive infrastructure. All upcoming power plants will be given environmental clearance only after getting such commitments under the new norms.
"The new standards are aimed at reducing emission of PM10 (particulate matter), Sulphur Dioxide, and Oxide of Nitrogen, which will in turn help in bringing about an improvement in the ambient air quality (AAQ) in and around thermal power plants", said the ministry in a statement."The technology employed for the control of the proposed limit of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) will also help in control of mercury emission (at about 70-90%) as a co-benefit," it added.
Going by the notification, the newer power plants will eventually be much cleaner as the revised norms will help keep strict tabs on emission of all pollutants. In case of PM10, the new plants will have to restrict the emission to 30 mg per cubic metre as compared to 100 mg per cubic metre in older plants. Simi larly, in case of SO2 and NOx the new plants will have to re strict the emission at 100 mg per cubic metre as compared to 600 mg per cubic metre of the older plants, irrespective of their installed capacity.
"Limiting the use of wa ter in thermal power plant will lead to water conserva tion as thermal power plant is a water-intensive indus try," the statement said.
"It is a welcome step. It will make sure that the existing plants are improved and the new plants are set up using state-of-the-art (clean) technology", said Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) deputy director general Chandra Bhushan while reacting to the new norms. The CSE had in February strongly pitched for stricter emission norms for thermal power plants after it analysed the functioning and status of major coal-based power plants across India.