Environmental Impact Assessment Notifications in India: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
By Aakanksha Tiwari, Researcher-Environment and Climate Action
Environmental Impact Assessment
The emergence of Environmental Impact Assessment in India
By Aakanksha Tiwari, Researcher-Environment and Climate Action
Ancient India had few environmental regulations that can be read in Kautilya’s ‘Arthashastra’ and on the fifth pillar edict of Emperor Ashoka. In the era before Indian independence in 1947, though there were no laws, there were cultural boundaries and respect for nature in the hearts of people of all ages and gender.
Request to withdraw the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2020 from public domain
The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2020, was uploaded in the MoEF&CC Website on March 12, 2020, with a view to receive public comments within 60 days. In this letter CAG requests the MoEFCC to withdraw the draft from public domain in light of the country-wide lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus Covid 19. The draft can be put out again for public comments once normalcy resumes, and when all stakeholders can afford the required time, access and resources to respond effectively to this Notification.
Letter to the Expert Appraisal Committee - Thermal Power, recommending a site visit to the Ennore Thermal Power Station - Expansion Project
This is the letter to the Expert Appraisal Committee - Thermal Power recommending a site visit to the Ennore Thermal Power Station - Expansion Project, about possible violations of its directive to TANGEDCO to refrain from any construction work after the expiry of Environmental Clearance for the project.
CAG’s appeal to TANGEDCO for decarbonised energy security
In this letter to TANGEDCO, CAG appeals to move to decarbonised energy plan for Tamil Nadu. Plan for realistic growth in electricity demand. Improve performance of existing coal plants instead of building new plants. Solarise the state through rooftop solar and agrivoltaics.
Letter to Finance Department: to not give guarantees for funding thermal and hydro power plants in pipeline
TANGEDCO has requested the Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation, for funding thermal power projects of a combined capacity up to 5,300 MW, and hydro power projects to the tune of 500 MW. To fund these projects, both funding organisations have asked for guarantees from Government of Tamil Nadu. CAG has written to the Finance Secretary requesting that the guarantee not be extended.
Plant Load Factor
by Bhagyashree Rath, Researcher - Environment and Climate Change
Comments on proposed amendement of TOR for TANGEDCO's Ennore TPS expansion
State power utility TANGEDCO recently sought amendment in the Terms of Reference issued for its 660 MW expansion project in Ennore. The utility, which failed to submit a feasibility study for the project, demanded an exemption from the public hearing process, and asked for construction work to be allowed even as its Environmental Clearance process was ongoing. CAG shared its concerns regarding the need and development of this project with the Epxert Appraisal Committee, which scheduled this project for discussion in March.
Raichur Thermal Power Plant - 7x210 MW + 1x250 MW
Water Consumption pattern for the year 2016 - 17 is compared with the data from CTO (for the period 2016 -2021) and the actual quantity of water to be permitted under MoEF & CC, 2015 Notification.
Bellari Thermal Power Station - 1700 MW
Fly ash genaration and utilization comparison for the years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 for the the first two units (Unit 1 - 500 MW, Unit 2 - 500 MW) along with coal consumption pattern.