The Environment Agency has set new limits for emissions of SO2 and NOx and particulates from UK’s coal- and oil-fired power plants. As a result, the Agency will: l Require that by September 2005, the total amount of SO2 to be released from coal- and oil-fired power stations be reduced by 60 per cent of the 1996/97 rates, to 398 000 tonnes per year.
l Require operators to preferentially run FGD-equipped plants.
l Allow generators which are increasing their share of electricity generation a degree of flexibility.
l Limit the amount of SO2 released per unit of electricity.
l Require all operators to submit a case for their upgrading to improve removal of SO2 by October 2000.