The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) is tightening air emission standards with the launch of the new Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2022.
NSW EPA Chief Executive Office Tony Chappel said that while New South Wales had always been recognised for its clean air, more stringent actions are needed to help meet global standards.
“These regulatory changes have been designed to better target harmful air pollutants and support New South Wales in transitioning to a low carbon economy while also reducing health risks that cost the greater metropolitan region around $6.4 billion each year,” he said.
“Many industries are already taking great strides to decarbonise through upgraded equipment or emission controls, but we know some power stations have not been able to progress as quickly due to the limited availability of cost-effective technologies.
Chappel said the NSW EPA was aiming to strike a better balance between requiring stronger standards for ageing infrastructure, while also supporting power stations in providing affordable, reliable energy.
“We received more than 150 submissions during consultation, and I want to thank everyone who played a role in helping us to develop this important piece of work,” he said.
“The final result of our consultation is a great example of industry, government and the community working together to reduce air pollution emissions to support a net-zero future.”
The improvements made to the regulation focus on applying tighter air emission standards for ageing plants and equipment, stricter limits and controls on volatile organic liquids in storage tanks, requiring cleaner and lower volatility petrol, and changes to the management of certain pollutants.
The final regulation aims to maintain the transition to tighter standards for ageing plant and equipment with amended transition periods to encourage the move to stricter standards and for consistency with other government initiatives; begin the extended summer period for clearer petrol on 1 November 2023 to ensure supply agreements can be managed by the industry; and includes other minor and administrative updates for consistency and clarity.
For more information, visit: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Related stories:
NSW EPA backs resource recovery review findings
NSW EPA welcomes Resource Recovery Framework review
.png){kind=small}
