In a bid to fast-track the process of environmental and forest clearances (EC and FC) for thermal power projects, power companies will have to furnish details about the quality of coal, such as its calorific value, sulphur content and ash content, in the initial environment management plan (EMP).
?In case of thermal power projects, which are dependent on domestic coal supply from the basket of mines of Coal India with valid EC/FC, proposals for environmental clearance would be considered, if the information on the coal quality parameters, that is, calorific value, sulphur content and ash content in respect of the mines in the basket, is provided in the EIA/EMP report,? the environment ministry said in a circular today.
As regards environmental clearance for imported coal-based ultra mega thermal power projects, the imported coal would need to have a gross calorific value of 5,000 Kcal/kg, ash content of 12% maximum and sulphur content of 0.8% maximum.
?Further, it would be necessary to provide details in the EMP report regarding the port for the import of coal, its capacity for coal handling, transportation of coal from the port to the thermal power plant by road or rail and railway rolling stock availability,? the order said.
As FE had reported first, the move will benefit power projects with capacity of more than 100 MW. At present, decisions on projects are taken within 105 days of the receipt of information, as provided for in the environmental impact assessment notification, 2006. Of these, 60 days are for appraisal by the ministry?s expert appraisal committee and 45 days for processing and communicating the decision.
The calorific value of coal would determine the quantity of coal requirement per unit of power generation, while the ash content would determine the land requirement for the ash pond as also the water consumption for its disposal in slurry mode. The sulphur content indicates sulphur dioxide emissions, which decides air quality.