petcoke burning: comments by dr j d bapat

2/26/2017 In pollution fight, govt looking at nationwide ban on petcoke | Business Line http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/nationwidebanonpetcoke/article9559228.ece?css=print 1/2 In pollution fight, govt looking at nationwide ban on petcoke AESHA DATTA TWESH MISHRA 1 Best Stocks to Buy 2 Top Companies to Invest in 3 Best Franchise Business Ideas Cement and captive power producers fear surge in input costs New Delhi, February 24: India is mulling over the possibility of a nationwide ban on petcoke, the preferred fuel for captive power plants and the cement manufacturing industry. A senior official in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, told BusinessLine that currently the proposal was only to ban the fuel in DelhiNCR. “The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has given its view on the issue of petcoke. We will file an affidavit with the SC soon,” the official said. The Supreme Court had mandated a meeting of EPCA to ban petcoke and seek alternatives to the fuel in the National Capital. When asked about a possibility of a panIndia ban, the official said the matter was under consideration and the Ministry was taking views on an allIndia ban. However, no decision had been taken yet. Sunita Narain, DirectorGeneral of the Centre for Science and Environment and member of the EPCA, said, “We have recommended a ban on petcoke in DelhiNCR, but one needs to look at banning it across India as it is a very highly polluting fuel.” Restricting import She added that a restriction was needed on the import of petcoke, which is a refinery byproduct, as countries such as the US and China were using India as a “dumping ground”. The EPCA has currently recommended that the use of the fuel be allowed for cement manufacturers but not for captive power generation. The cement industry, however, is still concerned about the possibility of a blanket ban and what it could mean for the industry. Independent cement manufacturing consultant J D Baghpat said: “The ban will offset the energy savings and lowering of ashcontent that come by using petcoke. Due to its higher calorific value, petcoke generates higher energy than other available resources such as mineral coal. The sulphur content too, is removed before it goes to air in cement manufacturing.” Preferred alternative A possible ban on petcoke dampens the prospects of captive power producers and cement manufacturers that prefer this fuel as an alternative to more expensive fuels. Rajiv Agarwal, Secretary at the Indian Captive Power Producers Association, said: “Petcoke is the currently available fuel for captive power producers as larger volumes of coal are diverted for independent power producer and public sector power generation projects. Generally, power producers use a mix of 20 to 30 per cent petcoke with coal to keep sulphur emissions under check and to sustain the life of the plant. The government will have to ensure free availability of cheap coal if they want to go ahead with the ban.” (This article was published on February 24, 2017) Best Stocks to Buy 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. BEST STOCKS TO BUY TOP COMPANIES TO INVEST IN BEST FRANCHISE BUSINESS IDEAS TOP 10 IT COMPANIES SMALL BUSINESS IDEAS BEST INVESTMENTS FOR RETIREMENT MONEY SAVING TIPS LIFE INSURANCE FOR SENIORS BEST REWARDS CREDIT CARDS FEDERAL EDUCATION LOANS TOP 10 COLLEGE MA JORS BEST TRADE SCHOOLS

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Page 1: PETCOKE BURNING: COMMENTS BY Dr J D BAPAT

2262017 In pollution fight govt looking at nationwide ban on petcoke | Business Line

httpwwwthehindubusinesslinecomcompaniesnationwideshybanshyonshypetcokearticle9559228ececss=print 12

In pollution fight govt looking at nationwide ban on petcoke

AESHA DATTATWESH MISHRA

1 Best Stocks to Buy 2 Top Companies to Invest in 3 Best Franchise Business Ideas

Cement and captive power producers fear surge in input costs

New Delhi February 24

India is mulling over the possibility of a nationwide ban on petcoke the preferred fuel for captive power plants and thecement manufacturing industry

A senior official in the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change told BusinessLine that currently theproposal was only to ban the fuel in DelhishyNCR ldquoThe Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has given itsview on the issue of petcoke We will file an affidavit with the SC soonrdquo the official said

The Supreme Court had mandated a meeting of EPCA to ban petcoke and seek alternatives to the fuel in the NationalCapital

When asked about a possibility of a panshyIndia ban the official said the matter was under consideration and theMinistry was taking views on an allshyIndia ban However no decision had been taken yet

Sunita Narain DirectorshyGeneral of the Centre for Science and Environment and member of the EPCA said ldquoWe haverecommended a ban on petcoke in DelhishyNCR but one needs to look at banning it across India as it is a very highlypolluting fuelrdquo

Restricting importShe added that a restriction was needed on the import of petcoke which is a refinery byshyproduct as countries such asthe US and China were using India as a ldquodumping groundrdquo

The EPCA has currently recommended that the use of the fuel be allowed for cement manufacturers but not for captivepower generation

The cement industry however is still concerned about the possibility of a blanket ban and what it could mean for theindustry Independent cement manufacturing consultant J D Baghpat said ldquoThe ban will offset the energy savings andlowering of ashshycontent that come by using petcoke Due to its higher calorific value petcoke generates higher energythan other available resources such as mineral coal The sulphur content too is removed before it goes to air in cementmanufacturingrdquo

Preferred alternativeA possible ban on petcoke dampens the prospects of captive power producers and cement manufacturers that preferthis fuel as an alternative to more expensive fuels

Rajiv Agarwal Secretary at the Indian Captive Power Producers Association said ldquoPetcoke is the currently availablefuel for captive power producers as larger volumes of coal are diverted for independent power producer and publicsector power generation projects Generally power producers use a mix of 20 to 30 per cent petcoke with coal to keepsulphur emissions under check and to sustain the life of the plant The government will have to ensure free availabilityof cheap coal if they want to go ahead with the banrdquo

(This article was published on February 24 2017)

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