MEPs mull pollution cap for mid-sized power plants

EU lawmakers planning to cap pollution from medium-sized power plants must avoid “double regulation”, say MEPs. In a draft report, MEPs on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy welcomed […]

EU lawmakers planning to cap pollution from medium-sized power plants must avoid “double regulation”, say MEPs.

In a draft report, MEPs on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy welcomed the “important” rule for plugging a “gap” in rules for combustion plants with thermal input between 1 and 50 MW.

Air pollution is estimated to lead to more than 400,000 premature deaths per year and health costs of up to €940 billion, according to the Commission.

But they warned: “[The] risks of double regulation should be avoided. In particular, there is a need to clarify the relation between the current proposal and the Industrial Emissions Directive already in force.”

With a majority (75%) of medium combustion plants (MCPs) run by smaller players in the energy market, they advised “special attention has to be given not to impose an excessive administrative burden” or cost.

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