Brussels, 07/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 6 May in Brussels, the European Parliament's Environment Committee supported the draft directive to enforce sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emission limits upon medium-sized combustion plants, such as electricity generators or heating systems for domestic, residential or industrial use (see EUROPE 11220). MEPs voted to adapt the scheme to match the plants' thermal input, so as to reduce the administrative burden on small businesses.
A majority of the compromise amendments obtained overwhelming support, to the great satisfaction of Rapporteur Andrzej Grzyb (EPP, Poland). His report was adopted by a large majority (60 votes for, 8 against, 1 abstention) and he received a mandate by a large majority (61 for, 3 against, with 5 abstentions) to begin negotiations with the Council, in view of obtaining an agreement on this text from the “Pure Air in Europe” legislative package.
The first trialogue meeting will take place on 21 May next, announced Grzyb.
Under the terms of the text voted on, the maximum emission values for sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and dust from existing combustion plants would come into force in 2020 for existing combustion plants with a rated thermal input above 15MW, 2022 for those with an input between 5 and 15MW and 2027 for those with an input of 5MW or less.
Gas turbines and engines used in offshore platforms will be exempted so that oil and gas platforms do not have to install new and very expensive equipment. On the other hand, Conservative MEPs complained that small or emergency generators would not be exempted, which could have a negative impact on remote communities.
Julie Girling (ECR, United Kingdom), the spokesperson for the Conservative group on environmental questions, however, said that she was delighted that common sense had prevailed on offshore platforms. She pointed out that including them in the European Commission proposal could have cost the oil and gas industry a fortune and led to massive job losses for minimum benefits in terms of air quality. (Aminata Niang)