We have written about the LCP directive that sets up new emission standards for large combustion plants several times already. Today we would like to return to this topic because substantial proposals of new steps have emerged that could lead to application of this directive by Polish industry.

LCP directive sets up strict requirements for emission of large combustion plants. It also allows achieving the existing goals through the introduction of new obligatory norms or national emission reduction plans. Poland has chosen the second option. An official document containing the government proposal of National Emission Reduction Plan for SO2, NOx and dust from large combustion plants was prepared in September for presentation in Brussels.

Decisions that have been incorporated in the EU Accession requirements for Poland

Emission limit values for Polish companies regarding particular types of emissions were set up during the accession negotiations. Total emission limit values for sulphur dioxide from large combustion plants are as follows:

- 2008 - 454.000 Mg/a

- 2010 - 426.000 Mg/a

- 2012 - 358.000 Mg/a.

Compared to 878 000 Mg emission of sulphur dioxide in 2001!

Similar emission limits were set up for nitrogen oxides and their values are as follows:

- 2008 - 254.000 Mg/a

- 2010 - 251.000 Mg/a

- 2012 - 239.000 Mg/a.

Emission of nitrogen oxides in 2001 was 270.000 Mg.

Those emission limits are very strict and if all the norms introduced by LPD directive were to be used in all Polish large combustion plants, the total of allowed values for particular types of emissions would be much higher than the above mentioned limits. Application of such regulations is simply unacceptable, the more so as Poland obtained permission for departure from those norms for the sources enumerated in the so called derogation list.

Proposals included in the National Emission Reduction Plan

In cooperation with representatives of the sectors where LPC applies to, Ministry of Environment has prepared a proposal of the National Emission Reduction Plan that would reflect the needs of the Polish economy as well as set up achievable steps to considerably reduce the emission. This is the only possible way of implementing the LCP directive in Poland. Otherwise, energy sector (among others) will be forced to unjustified withdrawal from the operation of many plants. Given the increase of demand for electricity in Poland and other EU member states that could be noticed recently, this would even constitute a threat to the security of energy supply. Investments in new plants that would replace those prematurely withdrawn from operation would call for involvement of immense capital that the sector does not have. One should hope that the National Emission Reduction Plan in its latest version presented in Brussels will take all the above mentioned aspects into consideration and the decision reached in Brussels will allow for the application of all the Polish proposals.