GSPCB extends timeline for industries to change to approved clean fuel

NT NETWORK

Panaji

It is one more extension in the deadline for industries in the state to switchover to approved fuels with the government deciding to give units additional time to make the changeover.

The Goa State Pollution Control Board during its 147th board meeting decided to extend the timeline for industries to change to approved or clean fuel on demand from local industry. 

While June 30, 2021 is the approaching deadline for local industrial units to stop using petroleum fuels such as pet coke and furnace oil (FO), members of GSPCB at the board meeting on May 27, decided to grant the extension due “to the COVID pandemic and request received from some industries.”

This is the second extension in deadline for industries in the state to start using only approved fuels. Previously January 1, 2021 was date for the switchover after which GSPCB had granted a six month extension to June 30.

Meanwhile, the GSPCB has also decided to include very low sulphur oil (VLSFO) in the list of approved fuels because of its 0.5 per cent sulphur content.

A comparative analysis of the sulphur content of furnace oil (FO) and VLSFO was placed before the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the board after which the TAC recommended considering using VLSFO as approved fuel. The proposal for including VLSFO as approved fuel is now with the state department of environment and climate change and awaiting notification.

It may be remembered that the state government vide circular in June 22 2020, had notified the list of approved fuels and banned the use of petcoke and FO by industries.

Fifteen fuels were classified as approved fuels and they included coal (with low sulphur), petrol, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), coke/ lignite, LPG, CNG, kerosene, naphtha, dung cake, bio gas, bio fuel, LSHS and RDF. 

However with several large industries in the state such as Chowgule & Co (Mandovi Pellets), Zuari Agro Chemicals, MRF Ltd, Marpol Pvt Ltd and Indian Oil- Adani Gas, citing difficulties in making the change and requesting exemption from the notification the approved fuel order as of now is not implemented in the state.

The direction for industry across all states to stop using fossil fuels was issued by the Supreme Court after the National Green Tribunal order and was conveyed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to state boards.