Brussels, 09/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The way is now open for clearer, more stringent rules on the prevention and control of water, air and soil pollution by industry and for cleaner air in Europe. The new European directive on industrial pollution updating and bringing together in one single text all the legislation on integrated industrial pollution prevention and control was formally adopted on Monday 8 November.
It is expected that this directive will bring massive benefits for the environment and human health. It is estimated that 13,000 premature deaths will be avoided every year. This “directive will help guarantee European citizens the level of protection that is their right,” said European Environment Commissioner Janez Potoènik. In addition, as the directive promotes the use of the best available technology (BAT), more uniform use of BAT by industrial plant operators will be ensured and competition conditions in the sector will be less disparate.
With effect from 2016, the directive will impose stricter limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxides and dust particles from electricity plants and major existing combustion facilities. EU member states will, however, be able to implement “transitional national plans” with an annual emissions ceiling that will give major combustion plants four years' grace, until 30 June 2020, to come into line with the new limits. Older plants will be exempt from this requirement on condition that they are to be decommissioned by the end of 2023 or have an active life of 17,500 hours from 2016. New electricity plants will have to comply with the 2012 deadline for meeting the new limit values using BAT.
On Monday, the Council of the EU confirmed the agreement already reached with Parliament in June. Parliament confirmed the agreement with the Council on 7 July. (A.N./transl.rt)