§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department will implement EU requirements to reduce emissions of air pollutants from industrial plant and power stations. [46734]
§ Mr. MeacherDirective 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control addresses emissions to all environments from a wide range of industrial plant, including power stations. It is being implemented through the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (SI 1973). Any industrial installation covered by these Regulations which is newly constructed or substantially changed needs a permit from the Environment Agency or, for some smaller installations, from the relevant local authority. These permits will contain pollutant emission limits and other conditions concerning the operation of the installation. Operators of installations which were in existence before 31 October 1999 have to apply for permits according to a timetable for each of the main industrial sectors. This timetable, laid down in Schedule 3 to the Regulations, extends overall to March 2007. Existing power stations, which generally fall into the 'combustion' sector, have until 31 March 2006 to make permit applications under these Regulations.
Directive 1999/13/EC on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations is being implemented by Directions to the Environment Agency, in respect of some plants. The Department expects to consult on draft implementation proposals for other plants later in the year.
Directives 2000/69/EC relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air, 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste, 2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants, 2001/81/EC on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants, and 2002/3/EC relating to ozone in ambient air have not yet been transposed. The Department expects to consult on draft implementation proposals later in the year.