Emissions limits for coal-fired power stations and all large combustion plants covered by European industrial pollution legislation will be significantly tightened in the EU following a vote by the member states on Friday 28 April, after several years’ delay.
Using the comitology procedure, the member states approved the updating of the BREF document on the performance standards of large combustion plants on the basis of the best available techniques (see EUROPE 11775). A qualified majority was reach by member state representatives on the industrial emissions directive (IED) committee.
By virtue of this vote, member states will be required, from 2021, to impose stricter limits on toxic emissions from 2,900 large combustion plants, including 257 coal-fired power stations. The new rules will apply to nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), fine particles and, for the first time, mercury,
“These limits are very important”, stressed environment spokesperson Enrico Brivio, pointing out that air pollution is responsible for 400,000 premature deaths every year in the EU. They will not, however, necessarily lead to the closure of coal-fired power stations in countries such as Bulgaria: “The directive allows for derogations to be sought if increases in electricity prices outweigh the environmental benefits”, he said.
Among environmental and health NGOs, which had expressed their concern to Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella at attempts by Germany and Poland, and other countries (Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania) to water down the new standards, the relief is huge.
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has welcomed the new rules, which could save more than 20,000 lives every year by reducing pollution from coal-fired power plants alone. “This is finally some good news on tackling air pollution. Tried-and-tested techniques exist to filter out or reduce harmful fumes”, said EEB policy manager Christian Schaible, who took part in the negotiations. He nonetheless found it “shocking to see Germany join some of Europe’s biggest polluters to try to block these rules that will benefit people across the EU”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)