Reducing air pollution from medium-sized combustion plants
At a glance
Medium combustion plants are used for a wide variety of purposes, such as generating electricity, domestic/residential heating and cooling, and providing heat/steam for industrial processes. They are an important source of emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter (fine dust). There are around 142 986 of these medium combustion plants in the EU.
Emissions from these medium combustion plants are currently not covered by specific rules at EU level. The proposed directive would introduce limits for their emissions, helping to make a significant contribution to member states' overall emissions reduction commitments.
In detail
Proposed directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants - 2013/0442 (COD)
The proposed directive sets emissions limits for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from medium combustion plants. In particular, the proposal includes:
- an obligatory registration scheme for medium combustion plants
- specific emissions limits for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter for new and existing combustion plants, and deadlines for introducing these limits
- an obligation for members states to apply stricter emissions limits to plants in zones where the air quality is not at the required level
- a requirement for operators to monitor emissions and report on non-compliance - including the establishment at member state level of an environmental inspection system for medium combustion plants, or the implementation of other measures to check their compliance - and to take necessary measures in case of non-compliance with the rules
- the creation of a reporting mechanism
- specific rules on applicable penalties in cases of breach of the rules
On 10 November 2015, the Council adopted the directive.
In the Council
The Commission presented its proposal at a meeting of the Environment Council on 3 March 2014. EU environment ministers held an initial policy debate on the proposed directive on 12 June 2014.
The Council reached a general approach on the proposal on 17 December 2014. This allowed the Council presidency to start negotiations with the European Parliament in May 2015.
On 23 June 2015, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the proposal. Their agreed text makes several changes to the Commission's original proposal. The changes include:
- the specification that medium combustion plants can only be operated after registration or with a permit
- the introduction of different regimes for existing medium combustion plants, based on their size
- extended compliance deadlines for some plants, such as district heating systems, plants where biomass is the main fuel, plants that are part of small isolated systems (such as on islands) and specific plants linked to a national gas transmission system
- the provision that member states shall assess the need to apply stricter limits for individual plants in zones not complying with EU air quality limit values
- the introduction of rules to monitor carbon monoxide emissions
The agreement was confirmed by Coreper (the Committee of Permanent Representatives) on 30 June 2015. The European Parliament agreed its position on 7 October 2015 and the Council adopted the directive on 10 November 2015.