The operating permits of some 3,500 large combustion plants that are responsible for a third of polluting emissions from industry in the EU are to be reviewed between now and mid-2021 to ensure that these plants are in line with EU law after a new regulation was adopted by the European Commission on Monday 31 July to protect the environment, the climate and public health.
The implementing regulation adopted requires large combustion plants, such as coal-fired power stations and district heating plants, to use the best available techniques to comply with the new emissions value limits imposed by EU law for nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), fine particulate matter (PM) and mercury.
In April of this year, following years of delay, the EU finally tightened environmental performance standards for all coal-fired power stations and large combustion plants covered by the European directive on industrial emissions (IED) (see EUROPE 11777).
The implementing regulation brings into effect the best available techniques that have been developed through a transparent and thorough evidence-based process over several years, in intensive collaboration with EU member states, industry and environmental NGOs, the Commission states.
A great deal is at stake as air pollution is responsible for more than 400,000 premature deaths each year in the EU. Large combustion plants are a major source of air pollution, emitting 46% SO2, 18% NOx: 4% PM10 and 39% mercury of total EU emissions from all activities. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)