By Kim Se-jeong
The Ministry of Environment is tightening emissions regulations for nine new coal-fired power plants that are under construction or to be constructed, in an effort to keep the level of air pollution harmful to health under control.
According to revised emissions regulations which take effect Jan. 28, the nine plants will need to keep emission levels at 5 milligrams per cubic meter for dust, including fine and ultrafine dust; 25 parts per million (ppm) for sulfur oxides; and 15 ppm for nitrogen oxides.
The new standards are far tighter than those for other facilities that are already operating.
The ministry’s move is in line with the central government’s fight against airborne particles harmful to human health.
Coal-fired power plants and vehicles are the main source of the particles, according to experts. Currently, Korea has 53 coal powered plants in operation, with 20 more being built.
Last year, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, responsible for the national energy mix, decided to phase out eight old coal power plants by 2020.
Beside the new emissions regulations, the environment ministry is pushing to reduce emissions from old vehicles.