Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued a notification on July 11, 2025, regarding the applicability of SO2 emission standards for coal/lignite-fired Thermal Power Plants (TPPs), as initially notified on December 7, 2015. The notification categorizes TPPs based on location and sets differentiated timelines for compliance, with some exemptions based on specific conditions. TPPs failing to meet the prescribed standards within the given timelines will face environmental compensation.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **SO2 Emission Standards Applicability:**
* Category A: Plants within 10 km radius of NCR or cities with a million-plus population must comply by December 31, 2027.
* Category B: Plants within 10 km radius of non-attainment cities or critically polluted areas' compliance will be decided case-by-case by the Central Government, based on recommendations from the Expert Appraisal Committee, by December 31, 2028.
* Category C: Other plants not included in Category A and B are not required to comply, provided they meet stack height requirements as per Notification No. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated August 30, 1990, by December 31, 2029.
* **Exemption Conditions:**
* TPPs considered for non-applicability of SO2 emission standards must ensure compliance with stack height regulations as per Notification No. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated August 30, 1990.
* **Compliance & Penalties:**
* TPPs must comply with the emission standards within the prescribed time limits.
* Non-compliant TPP units operating beyond the deadline will face environmental compensation.
* **Basis for Decision:**
* The categorization and timelines were determined based on scientific studies, analysis of ambient SO2 concentrations, techno-economic feasibility, environmental sustainability, and potential environmental benefits.
Impact Analysis:
**Thermal Power Plants (TPPs):**
* *Impact:* Different categories of TPPs face varying requirements and deadlines for SO2 emission standards compliance, potentially requiring investment in Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems or adherence to stack height regulations.
* *Action Required:* TPPs must assess their categorization (A, B, or C) based on location and prepare for compliance by the specified deadlines, including either FGD installation or meeting stack height criteria.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for enforcing the new emission standards and timelines, including monitoring compliance and imposing environmental compensation for non-compliant TPPs.
* *Action Required:* Implement monitoring mechanisms to track TPP compliance and establish procedures for imposing environmental compensation on non-compliant units.
**Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):**
* *Impact:* Involved in the review process and likely plays a role in monitoring and assessing compliance with the new standards.
* *Action Required:* Assist MoEFCC in monitoring TPP compliance and provide technical support for assessing SO2 emissions.
**Citizens/Communities near TPPs:**
* *Impact:* Potential improvement in air quality due to reduced SO2 emissions from TPPs, particularly in densely populated areas.
* *Action Required:* No direct action, but may benefit from increased transparency regarding TPP compliance and air quality monitoring data.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change.
Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD): A technology used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the exhaust flue gases of fossil-fuel power plants.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2): A polluting gas emitted by thermal power plants that can have adverse health and environmental impacts.
Notification dated 07.12.2015: A notification issued by the MoEFCC that prescribed emission standards for coal/lignite-fired Thermal Power Plants (TPPs).
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): A statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for pollution control.
Thermal Power Plants (TPPs): Facilities that generate electricity by burning fossil fuels like coal and lignite.
Notification vide G.S.R. 465 E dated 11.07.2025: A notification issued by the Ministry regarding the applicability of SO2 emission standards.
Notification no. G.S.R. 742 E dated 30.08.1990: A notification concerning stack height regulations to aid in the dispersion of pollutants from TPPs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 317
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
FGD Exemption Policy
317*. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:
SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the alternative technological or regulatory measures proposed to reduce sulphur dioxide
emissions in the absence of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems in thermal power
plants;
(b) the steps proposed to be taken to ensure that the health impact of sulphur dioxide emissions
on vulnerable groups living near power plants due to FGD exemption;
(c) whether there was a formal consultation process with civil society organizations before
finalizing the exemptions from installing FGDs, if so, the details thereof;
(d) the measures taken to respond to the concerns regarding the long-term impact of not
installing FGDs; and
(e) whether the Government will consider revisiting the FGD exemption policy and making the
installation of desulphurisation systems mandatory for all thermal power plants, in view of
concerns regarding public health and environmental protection, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)
(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House
****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) to (e) OF THE LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 317 DUE FOR REPLY ON 11.08.2025
REGARDING FGD EXEMPTION POLICY BY SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS
VIJAY VASANTH AND SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR, HON’BLE MEMBERS
OF PARLIAMENT.
(a) to (e):
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified emission standards
for coal/lignite-fired Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) vide Notification dated 07.12.2015. The
SO emission standards prescribed vide Notification dated 07.12.2015 have been reviewed by
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the Central Government taking into consideration the various representations received
regarding exemption or relaxation in timelines of these emission standards.
Besides, studies conducted by research institutions such as Council of Scientific & Industrial
Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS),
regarding effectiveness and rationale behind these standards and its role in overall ambient air
pollution of the region, were also considered to evaluate the need of universal applicability
and enforcement of these standards. Apart from these studies, Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) had also conducted a simulation modelling of emission from source of
Thermal Power Plant for different scenarios/matrix through Indian Institute of Tropical
Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
Stakeholders’ consultation meetings to discuss the matter were also held among MoEFCC,
Ministry of Power (MoP), CPCB, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to Govt. of India,
Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Scientific Institutions, and National Thermal Power
Corporation (NTPC).
After detailed review of the matter, the Ministry has issued Notification vide G.S.R. 465 (E)
dated 11.07.2025 regarding the applicability of SO emission standards notified vide
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Notification dated 07.12.2015. Accordingly, the applicability and timelines for compliance of
SO emission standards by TPPs are as follows:
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Category Applicability of SO emission standards Time limit for
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compliance
Category A (Plants within 10 Mandatory 31.12.2027
km radius of NCR or cities
having million plus population)
Category B (Plants within 10 To be decided on a case to case basis by 31.12.2028
km radius of non-attainment the Central Government based upon the
cities or critically polluted areas) recommendations of the Expert Appraisal
Committee (Thermal Projects).
In case any TPP is considered for non-
applicability of SO emission standards,
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such TPP shall ensure meeting stack height
as per Notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E)
dated 30.08.1990.
Category C (Other than those Not applicable subject to condition of 31.12.2029
included in Category A and B) meeting stack height as per Notification
no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990.The category-wise applicability of SO emission standards in TPPs has been decided based
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on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient SO concentrations across the country,
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including areas near TPPs. The decision taken by the Central Government while issuing
Notification dated 11.07.2025 is based on scientific approach, environmental sustainability
and environmental benefits/loss in achieving SO emission norms as well as techno-economic
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feasibility of implementing such control measures across all coal/lignite-based TPPs. This
approach applies the precautionary principle for controlling and abating air pollution in
densely populated and other air pollution-sensitive areas, while also considering to safeguard
consumers from the heavy burden due to potential increases in electricity prices. This
approach further demonstrates resource conservation by avoiding additional consumption of
water, auxiliary power, and limestone; it also considers the increase in carbon footprint/CO
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emissions resulting from the operation of deployed control measures, as well as the mining
and transportation of limestone required for these measures.
TPPs are required to comply with the emission standards notified by MoEFCC within the
prescribed time limits, failing which environmental compensation shall be imposed on the
non-compliant TPP units for operation beyond the prescribed time limit. In all such cases
where SO emission standards are not being made applicable, TPPs shall ensure compliance
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of stack height criteria notified vide Notification number GSR 742 (E) dated the 30.08.1990
governing SO emissions from TPPs to aid proper dispersion of pollutants and mitigate
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environmental impacts.
*****