## Report on the Environment Protection Second Amendment Rules, 2022
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Environment Protection Second Amendment Rules, 2022, as published in the Gazette of India on September 5, 2022. This amendment modifies the Environment Protection Rules, 1986, specifically concerning emission standards for thermal power plants. The core purpose is to introduce a revised timeline and framework for compliance with Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emission standards, including provisions for exemptions under specific conditions (retirement of plants) and associated environmental compensation for non-compliance. Key findings highlight revised compliance deadlines based on location, financial penalties for continued operation beyond specified timelines, and specific exemptions related to plant retirement.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Environment Protection Second Amendment Rules, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the text of the official notification published in the Gazette of India on September 5, 2022. The purpose is to inform stakeholders, particularly those in the thermal power industry, about the details and implications of these amendments to the Environment Protection Rules, 1986.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This is an amendment to the Environment Protection Rules, 1986. The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to regulate and reduce SO2 emissions from thermal power plants through a combination of compliance deadlines, incentives for plant retirement, and financial disincentives for non-compliance.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment appears to address the need for a more nuanced and potentially phased approach to achieving SO2 emission standards for thermal power plants. The original policy likely lacked specific timelines based on geographical location or provided inadequate incentives for plant retirement in lieu of costly retrofitting for emission control. The amendment, by introducing varying deadlines and compensation mechanisms, aims to balance environmental protection with the operational realities and economic considerations of the thermal power sector.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment focuses on modifying Schedule I of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986, specifically serial number 25, which deals with emission standards and timelines for compliance.
* **Specific Part Changed:** Table I in serial number 25 of Schedule I is being substituted. Additionally, sections (ii) and (iii) are being replaced.
* **New Rule/Provision:**
* **Table I:** Establishes a tiered system of compliance deadlines for SO2 emission parameters based on the location of the thermal power plant:
* **Category A:** Plants within a 10 km radius of the National Capital Region or cities with a million-plus population (as per the 2011 census).
* **Category B:** Plants within a 10 km radius of Critically Polluted Areas or Non-attainment cities (as defined by the CPCB).
* **Category C:** All other plants not included in Categories A and B.
The table outlines different timelines for compliance and last dates for retirement of units for exemption from SO2 and other emission parameters.
* **Section (ii):** Allows thermal power plants declared to retire before the specified dates in column 6 and 7 of Table I to be exempt from meeting specified norms for parameters other than and including SO2 emissions, respectively. This exemption is contingent upon submitting an undertaking to the CPCB and CEA. However, these plants will be levied environmental compensation if they continue operating beyond the date specified in the undertaking.
* **Section (iii):** Introduces a system of environmental compensation for non-retiring thermal power plants that do not comply with the timelines specified in columns 4 and 5 of Table I. The compensation rates vary depending on the duration of non-compliance (in days) after the deadline.
* **Table II:** Specifies the environmental compensation rates per unit of electricity generated for non-compliant operation.
* **Difference/Effect of Change:** The amendment introduces location-based timelines, providing potentially more realistic deadlines for compliance compared to a uniform national standard. It also provides a clear pathway for plants nearing retirement to avoid costly upgrades by committing to cease operations, incentivizing earlier plant closures. The tiered environmental compensation system creates a financial disincentive for prolonged non-compliance, motivating timely adoption of emission control technologies.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience is the thermal power industry in India. Key stakeholders include:
* Owners and operators of thermal power plants, particularly those located in or near major urban areas and critically polluted zones.
* The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
* The Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
* Consumers of electricity generated by thermal power plants.
* Communities living near thermal power plants who are directly impacted by air pollution.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The CPCB and CEA play key roles in implementation. The CPCB defines critically polluted areas and non-attainment cities and receives the undertaking from plants opting for retirement-based exemptions. The CEA is also party to the undertaking submitted by plants seeking exemption.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment establishes clear timelines for compliance based on location, as detailed in Table I. Plants seeking retirement-based exemptions must submit an undertaking to the CPCB and CEA. Environmental compensation is levied automatically for non-compliant operations after the specified deadlines. The specific procedure for submitting undertakings and calculating environmental compensation is not detailed in this text but likely involves standardized reporting mechanisms.
* **Amendment Specific:** The key implementation challenges will be verifying the accuracy of retirement undertakings and ensuring the timely cessation of operations by plants claiming exemptions. Also, accurate monitoring of electricity generation from non-compliant plants is critical to ensuring that the correct environmental compensation is levied.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The amendment is expected to:
* Reduce SO2 emissions from thermal power plants, particularly in urban and polluted areas.
* Encourage the retirement of older, less efficient thermal power plants, accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources.
* Provide a more flexible and economically viable pathway for plants to comply with emission standards.
* Generate revenue through environmental compensation from non-compliant plants, which could potentially be used to fund environmental remediation efforts.
* Improve air quality and public health in areas affected by thermal power plant emissions.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Environment Protection Second Amendment Rules, 2022, represent a significant step towards regulating SO2 emissions from thermal power plants in India. By introducing location-based timelines, retirement-based exemptions, and a tiered environmental compensation system, the amendment aims to balance environmental protection with the economic realities of the power sector. The success of this policy will depend on effective implementation by the CPCB and CEA and proactive compliance by thermal power plant operators. Further clarification on specific reporting procedures and monitoring mechanisms may be required to ensure the policy's intended outcomes are fully realized.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Capital of India, place of publication of the notification.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: The Act under which the powers are conferred to make the rules.
Central Government: The governing authority making the amendments to the rules.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: The rules being amended by this notification.
National Capital Region: A geographical area defined for policy purposes.
CPCB: Central Pollution Control Board, an organization to which thermal power plants must submit undertakings.
CEA: Central Electricity Authority, an organization to which thermal power plants must submit undertakings.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The government ministry issuing the notification.
NARESH PAL GANGWAR: Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi: Location of the Dte. of Printing
Controller of Publications, Delhi: Publisher of the gazette.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
ससीी..जजीी..--डडीी..एएलल..--अअ..--0055009922002222--223388661144
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 603] नई दिल्ली, सोमवार, जसतम्ब र 5, 2022/भार 14, 1944
No. 603] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2022/BHADRA 14, 1944
पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ु पररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 5 जसतम्ब र, 2022
Lkk-dk-fu- 682(अ).—केन्द्रीर् सरकार, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3, धारा
6 और धारा 25 द्वारा प्रित्त िजिर्ों का प्रर्ोग करते हुए, पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) जनर्म, 1986 का और संिोधन करन े के जलए
जनम्नजलजखत जनर्म बनाती ह,ै अर्ाात ् :-
1. (1) इन जनर्मों का संजक्षप्त नाम पर्ाावरण (संरक्षण) िसू रा सिं ोधन जनर्म, 2022 ह ै।
(2) र्े रािपत्र म ें उनके प्रकािन की तारीख को प्रवृत्त होंग े ।
2. पर्ाावरण (सरं क्षण) जनर्म, 1986 की अनुसूची 1 के क्रम स.ं 25 म,ें “*(i) सारणी 1” के स्ट्र्ान पर जनम्नजलजखत
रखा िाएगा, अर्ाात् :--
सारणी-1
क्रम प्रवग ा अवस्ट्र्ान/क्षत्रे अनपु ालन के जलए समर्-सीमा अनपु ालन स ेछूट के जलए इकाईर्ों
स.ं (जनवत्तृ न होन ेवाली इकाईर्ा)ं को जनवृत्त करन ेकी अजं तम तारीख
SO उत्सिना SO उत्सिना SO उत्सिना SO उत्सिना
2 2 2 2
स े जभन्न स े जभन्न
पैरामीटर पैरामीटर
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
1. प्र वग ाक राष्ट्रीर् रािधानी क्षेत्र र्ा 10 लाख से 31 दिसंबर, 31 दिसंबर, 31 दिसंबर,
5951 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
अजधक िनसंख्र् ा वाले िहरों1 की िस 2022 तक 2024 तक 2022 तक
दकलोमीटर की पररजध के भीतर ।
31 दिसंबर,
2. प्र वग ाख गंभीर रूप से प्रिजूित क्षेत्रों1 की र्ा 31 दिसंबर, 31 दिसंबर, 31 दिसंबर,
2027 तक
गैर-प्राजप्त िहरों2 की िस दकलोमीटर
2023 तक 2025 तक 2025 तक
के अधाव्यास के भीतर
3. प्र वग ाग प्रवग ाक और ख में सजम्मजलत से जभन्न 31 दिसंबर, 31 दिसंबर, 31 दिसंबर,
2024 तक 2026 तक 2025 तक
1 भारत की 2011 की िनगणना के अनुसार
2 केन्द्र ीर् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा द्वारा र्र्ा-पररभाजित ।
3. “*(ii)” के स्ट्र्ान पर जनम्नजलजखत रखा िाएगा, अर्ाता ् :--
‘(ii)(क) सारणी 1 के स्ट्तंभ (6) में र्र्ा-जवजनर्िष्टा तारीख स े पवू ा जनवृत्त होने के जलए घोजित तापीर् जवद्युत संर्ंत्र
स,े ऐस े संर्ंत्रों द्वारा केंरीर् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा और केंरीर् जवद्युत प्राजधकरण को ऐसे संर्ंत्र द्वारा जनवृत्त होन े के
आधार पर छूट के जलए वचनबंध प्रस्ट्तुत करने की ििा म ें SO उत्सिान स े जभन्न पैरामीटर के जलए जवजनर्िष्टा
2
मानकों को पूरा करने की अपेक्षा नहीं होगी:
परंत ु ऐस े संर्ंत्रों पर सारणी 1 के स्ट्तंभ (4) म ें र्र्ा-जवजनर्िष्टा तारीख स े उनके द्वारा वचनबधं म ें र्र्ा-जवजनर्िष्टा
तारीख स े आग े िारी रहता ह,ै उनके प्रचालन की ििा म ें िजनत जवद्युत की प्रजत इकाई पर 0.40 रुपए की िर स े
पर्ावा रण प्रजतकर उिग्रजहत दकर्ा िाएगा;
(ii)(ख) सारणी 1 के स्ट्तंभ (7) में र्र्ा-जवजनर्िष्टा तारीख स े पवू ा जनवृत्त् होन े के जलए घोजित तापीर् जवद्युत संर्ंत्र
स,े ऐस े संर्ंत्रों द्वारा केंरीर् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा और केंरीर् जवद्युत प्राजधकरण को ऐसे संर्ंत्र द्वारा जनवृत्त होन े के
आधार पर छूट के जलए वचनबधं प्रस्ट्ततु करने की ििा में SO उत्सिानों से जभन्न जवजनर्िष्टा मानकों को पूरा करन े
2
की अपेक्षा नहीं होगी:
परंत ु ऐस े संर्ंत्रों पर सारणी 1 के स्ट्तंभ (5) म ें र्र्ा-जवजनर्िष्टा तारीख स े उनके द्वारा वचनबधं म ें र्र्ा जवजनर्िष्टा
तारीख स े आग े िारी रहता ह,ै उनके प्रचालन की ििा म ें िजनत जवद्युत की प्रजत इकाई पर 0.40 रुपए की िर स े
पर्ावा रण प्रजतकर उिग्रजहत दकर्ा िाएगा;’
4. “*(iii)” के स्ट्र्ान पर जनम्नजलजखत रखा िाएगा, अर्ाता ्:--
“(iii) सारणी 1 के स्ट्तंभ (4) और स्ट्तंभ (5) में र्र्ा-जवजनर्िष्टा तारीख के पश्चात् जनवृत्त न होन े वाले तापीर् जवद्युत
संर्ंत्रों पर सारणी-2 में जवजनर्िष्टा िरों के अनुसार, पर्ाावरण प्रजतकर उिग्रजहत दकर्ा िाएगा, अर्ाात:्--
सारणी-2
समर्-सीमा से आग े अननुपालन प्रचालन पर्ाावरण प्रजतकर (प्रजत इकाई िजनत जवद्युत)
0-180 दिन 0.20
181-365 दिन 0.30
366 दिन और उससे आग े 0.40”
[फा. सं. क्र्-ू 15017/40/2007-सीपीडब्लल्र्]ू
नरेि पाल गगं वार, अपर सजचव[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
रटप्पण : मूल जनर्म, भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखंड (i) में संख्र्ांक का.आ. 844(अ), तारीख 19 नवंबर,
1986 द्वारा प्रकाजित दकए गए र्े और उनका अंजतम संिोधन अजधसूचना संख्र्ांक सा.का.जन. 143(अ), तारीख 22
फरवरी, 2022 द्वारा दकर्ा गर्ा ।
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 5th September, 2022
G.S.R. 682(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3, 6 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act,
1986 (29 of 1986), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Environment
(Protection) Rules, 1986, namely:—
1. (1) These rules may be called the Environment (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 2022.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, in Schedule – I, in serial number 25 for “* (i) Table 1” the following
shall be substituted, namely: -
Table-I
Sl. Category Location/area Timelines for compliance Last date for retirement of
No. (Non-retiring units) units for exemption from
compliance
parameters SO emissions parameters SO emissions
2 2
other than SO other than SO
2 2
emissions emissions
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
1 Category With 10 km radius of Up to 31st Up to 31st Up to 31st
A National Capital Region or December 2022 December December 2022
cities having million plus 2024
population1.
Up to 31st
2 Category With 10 km radius of Up to 31st Up to 31st Up to 31st
December
B Critically Polluted Areas2 or December 2023 December December 2025
2027
Non-attainment cities2 2025
3 Category Other than those included in Up to 31st Up to 31st Up to 31st
C category A and B December 2024 December December 2025
2026
1 As per 2011 census of India.
2 as defined by CPCB.
3. For “* (ii)” the following shall be substituted, namely: -
‘(ii) (a) The thermal power plant declared to retire before the date as specified in column (6) of Table-I shall not be
required to meet the specified norms for parameters other than SO emissions in case such plants submit an
2
undertaking to CPCB and CEA for exemption on ground of retirement of such plant:
Provided that such plants shall be levied environment compensation from the dates as specified in column (4) of table
–I, at the rate of rupees 0.40 per unit electricity generated in case their operation is continued beyond the date as
specified in the undertaking;
(ii) (b) The thermal power plant declared to retire before the date as specified in column (7) of Table-I shall not be
required to meet the specified norms for SO emissions in case such plants submit an undertaking to CPCB and CEA
2
for exemption on ground of retirement of such plant:
Provided that such plants shall be levied environment compensation from the dates as specified in column (5) of table
–I, at the rate of rupees 0.40 per unit electricity generated in case their operation is continued beyond the date as
specified in the undertaking;’4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
4. For “* (iii)” the following shall be substituted, namely: -
“(iii) there shall be levied environment compensation on the non-retiring thermal power plants, after the date as
specified in column (4) and (5) of Table-I, as per the rates specified in the Table-II, namely: -
Table-II
Non-Compliant operation beyond the Timeline Environmental Compensation (Rs. per unit electricity
generated)
0-180 days 0.20
181-365 days 0.30
366 days and beyond 0.40”
[F. No. Q-15017/40/2007-CPW]
NARESH PAL GANGWAR, Addl. Secy.
Note : The principle rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i)
vide number S.O. 844(E), dated the 19th November, 1986 and lastly amended vide notification G.S.R. 143(E),
dated the 22nd February, 2022.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.