China plans to tighten limits on coal-fired power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and coarse particulate matter (PM-10) for the first time since 2003. The revised Power Plant Air Pollutant Emissions Standards also will include monitoring of airborne mercury emissions for the first time, according to a statement released Sept. 21 by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which jointly announced the plan with the State General Administration of Quality Supervision.The ministry said it expects costs for facilities to meet the new standards will total about 260 billion yuan ($40.6 billion).The new standards will take effect Jan. 1, 2012.The revised standards will result in cumulative emissions reductions of 5.8 million metric tons for nitrogen dioxide and 6.18 million metric tons for sulfur dioxide by 2015, the ministry said.Grace Period for Existing Facilities. The new standards will distinguish between existing and new coal-fired power plants, ministry spokesperson Tao Detian said in the statement.New power plants will have to follow the upgraded emissions limits as of the Jan. 1 effective date, while existing facilities will be given a 2x/2-year grace period to implement the measures.
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