Air pollution norms went up in smoke

Bringing a decade-old tussle to a close, MoEF last week scrapped its 2015 norms for SO₂ emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), the chief source of these emissions. The rollback is significant given the country’s reliance on coal, and it plans to add 80 GW of capacity by 2031-32. The country has been the world’s top SO₂ emitter since 2017. Following this decision, NTPC asked BHEL to halt flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) installations at five under-construction CFPPs after GoI exempted most thermal plants from FGD requirements. As of February, 537 thermal units totalling 204 GW capacity were identified for installation of FGDs.

The rollback raises key questions on the role of science in policymaking, the priority given to environmental and human wellbeing and gaps in regulation. MoEF claims its decision is ‘based in science’, suggesting the 2015 norms were not. The new rules classify SO₂ as a pollutant based on geography, not plant size or emissions. About 11% of plants-those within 10 km of Delhi-NCR or million-plus cities-must install FGDs by December 2027. Another 11% may or may not, depending on an expert review committee. Ambient air quality now takes precedence over pollution-at-source, which National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) had emphasised.

None of the studies cited for the new rules were commissioned by the environment ministry. Weak implementation of continuous emissions monitoring made it difficult to challenge the rollback with source-level data. The real roadblock was who would foot the desulphurisation bill. Studies peg the cost at ₹0.5-1 crore/MW, adding ₹0.25-0.75/kWh to tariffs. Instead of addressing whether this cost would be passed on to consumers or subsidised, GoI returned to the old binary of cost versus environmental and human health.

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