Question

The SO₂ level of one section of a state is much below the national air quality standard. A large electric utility has proposed to build a coal-burning plant in the region without any SO₂ control equipment. It has been determined that even with the discharge from the proposed plant, the SO₂ level in the region will still be below the national air quality standard. Could the plant be built without controls under the current regulatory requirements? Explain.

Answer 1

No, the plant could not be built without controls under the current regulatory requirements due to following reason.

It has been determined that even with the discharge from the proposed plant, the SO₂ level in the region will still be below the national air quality standard. However, in future, it may happens that the sulphur content in the raw materials used for the coal-burning plant increases. This will increase the SO2 level and it may happen that the SO₂ level may exceed the national air quality standard.