Washed coal issue: Orissa knocks at MoEF doors

The Orissa government has requested the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) not to insist on the use of washed coal in the thermal power plants while according environmental clearance as this stipulation will create disproportionately higher pollution load on the states having coal reserves.

A number of new thermal plants are lined up for implementation by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) which will push the aggregate power generation in the state to about 45000 MW in the next 8-9 years. These plants are expected to generate 90 million tonnes of fly ash per annum (mtpa). Hence, the stipulation of MoEF on use of washed coal, which will compel the IPPs to set up washeries, will further precipitate the pollution problems.

Further, the state has suggested that MoEF may consider removal of the restriction imposed by the ministry vide its notification dated September 19, 1997 on transportation of coal having more than 34 per cent of ash beyond 1000 km by rail as it would not be possible for the state to carry the additional pollution load due to establishment of coal washeries.

The state government has pointed out that since the coal available in Orissa has high ash content, a large number of coal washeries are likely to come up in the state as a result of which the problem of pollution would be worsened.

The state has also urged the MoEF to make it mandatory for all the coal mining agencies and the fly ash generating units to fill up mine voids with fly ash.

The state government has suggested that the MoEF should suitable compensate the state for the environmental burden it has to bear on behalf of other states.

It may be noted that Orissa is presently generating 7000 MW of power and is producing about 15 mtpa of fly ash. The state has inked MoUs with 30 IPPs with a combined power generation capacity of around 35000 MW.