DG ENV C3 Industrial Emissions, Air Quality and Noise 20 January 2012 Stakeholder Expert Group on the review of the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution Combustion installations below 50 MW – review under the Industrial Emissions Directive DG ENV C3 Industrial Emissions, Air Quality and Noise 20 January 2012
IPPC Directive 2008/1/EC covers combustion installations with a rated thermal input exceeding 50 MW (Annex I) combustion plants/units with a thermal input of less than 50 MW may be covered where the aggregated capacity on site is more than 50 MW or if they are "directly associated activities with a technical connection" to other IPPC activities
Commission’s 2007 IPPC Recast proposal Proposed to lower Annex I threshold to 20 MW with “de minimis” rules for excluding small and peak load units Was based on several studies showing environmental benefits would exceed costs under various scenarios (see Impact Assessment) However, was not accepted by the co-legislators (esp. opposed by Council)
IED review clause Art. 73(2)(a) “The Commission shall by 31 December 2012 review the need to control emissions from the combustion of fuels in installations with a total rated thermal input below 50 MW (…) The Commission shall report the results of that review to the European Parliament and to the Council accompanied by a legislative proposal where appropriate.”
Ongoing study DG ENV has contracted consultants to further gather/assess data to study need to regulate < 50 MW combustion plants Note: Review not limited to 20-50 MW, so study will look at range 1 – 50 MW (industrial) Review to consider different options of regulating, not only extension of IED scope
Assessment Status quo, trends, potential measures Number, capacity, emissions (vs LCP, other) Possible additional measures (BAT) Sectors, cf. coverage by IED Divergences in current national regulation Impacts of various options of regulatory regime, ambition level? Environmental/health benefits (impacts) Costs for operators Admin burden
Further steps Inputs from stakeholders still welcome Finalise study mid 2012 Report on outcome by end 2012 together with other aspects listed in Art. 73(2) make link with overall Air Policy revision