CSE Report: Supports incentives and penalties to get clean power
On October 21, 2020, the centre for science and environment submitted a report titled “meeting emission norms working paper on penalty and incentive mechanism for coal-based power plants”. The report mainly speaks about the incentives provided for Clean power stations.
Key findings of the report
The report praises the concept of “first run”. This concept incentivizes clean power stations to run on priority.
What is the Issue?
In 2015, the union Ministry of environment, forest and climate change introduced strict environmental standards for coal based thermal power plants. This was done to contain the pollution caused by coal- based power plants.
The standards were introduced under Environment protection Act 1986. According to the revised standard the coal-based power plants were to comply with the revised standard by 2017.
As several coal-based power plants did not adopt to the revised standard the deadline was pushed to 2022. The report says that the revised deadline will not be met by at least 65% age of installed coal- based power plants.
What is “first run”?
In order to encourage more power plants to adopt the standards the concept of first run plants are introduced. The first run plants are those plants who have completely adopted to the new standards at the earliest. The centre urges state pollution control board to certify these plants that they are compliant to 2015 standards. This will act as a boost for their support towards Pollution Control. By this, they can receive their respective incentives.
Recommendations
The report recommends that the plants shall be categorised as Must run, first run, Orange category and red category. The must-run category are those power plants that generate renewable power. The orange category are those power plants that are likely to miss the target (pollution control target of 2022). Red category are those power plants that will definitely miss the target.
Background
Only 33 power plants have adopted to the new pollution control standards so far. India is trying to reduce its dependence on coal-based power plants. This is because coal-based power is the most resource intensive and polluting industries in India. 89 percentage of the Thermal Power capacity of the country comes from coal. The Government of India is also trying to reduce its coal imports.
Tags: Coal, Coal mining, Coal Sector, Ministry of PowerGK & Current Affairs Quiz: June 23-24, 2019
1. On which date, the 2019 edition of World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) is observed?
[A] June 21
[B] June 18
[C] June 22
[D] June 19
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [June 19]
Notes:
The World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) is observed every year on 19th of June to raise public awareness about the sickle cell disease and its treatment methods. Sickle cell disease is an inherited form of anaemia in which red blood cells are not able to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. Government has organised several campaigns for the proper treatment and cure of those suffering from the disease.
2. DD India channel will be made available to which of the following neighbouring countries?
[A] Myanmar
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bhutan
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bangladesh]
Notes:
In a bid to boost India’s relations with its neighbours, the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has signed agreements with Bangladesh and South Korea to make DD India available to viewers in the two countries respectively. Under this agreement, Bangaldesh’s BTV World and South Korea’s KBS World will also be made available on DD Free Dish, which has nearly 35 million subscribers across the country. The move is in line with India’s strategy to strengthen its relationships with neighbouring countries and other Asian nations and will help promote robust cultural exchange.
3. Which of the following states have recently get GI tag for Namma Kolhapuri chappal?
[A] Chhattisgarh & Maharashtra
[B] Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra & Karnataka
[D] Karnataka & Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra & Karnataka]
Notes:
Karnataka and Maharashtra have jointly got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Namma Kolhapuri chappal. These leather chappals are hand-crafted and tanned using vegetable dyes. The art of making them is passed down one generation to another. The traditional chappal making will get a modern touch. LIDKAR has in-house fashion designers who will design the footwear. According to LIDKAR officials, there are 5,000 people from villages in Belagavi, Bagalkote and even Dharwad making Kolhapuri chappals at their houses. Their market is restricted to nearest towns. The GI tag approvals implies that the artisans producing Kolhapuris in these districts will now be able to make and market their product in domestic and international markets. This also means the artisans can tie up with leading e-commerce players for higher profits. More importantly, it also prohibit the usage of the term “Kolhapuris” for similar products made in other parts of the country.
4. Who is the author of book “Yoga and Diet for Weight Loss”?
[A] Bijoylaxmi Hota
[B] Baba Ramdev
[C] Jaggi Vasudev
[D] Dinesh Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bijoylaxmi Hota]
Notes:
The book titled “Yoga and Diet for Weight Loss” has been authored by noted integrated yoga therapist Bijoylaxmi Hota. The book seeks to break slimming and weight loss myths and prescribes certain postures of yoga, along with the diet one should take in order to achieve better and faster results. According to author, slimming is not just about what one eats, how much one eats, how much one exercises or what form of exercise one does but more importantly, how fast one’s body utilises food. The key question is how efficient is one’s metabolism. The target should be to hasten the process and make it so fast that without being a clinical problem, it can burn all your calories quickly. The book also has recipes like steamed mustard fish, fish with tomato and celery, baked salmon, chicken teriyaki and beans with fennel.
5. India’s first solar-powered cruise boat to be rolled out in which of the following states?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
India’s first solar-powered cruise boat to be rolled out in Alappuzha, Kerala in December 2019. A Rs 3-crore cruise boat that can carry 100 passengers is under construction at a boatyard in Aroor. This is part of an initiative of the State Water Transport Department (SWTD), whose solar ferry Aditya in the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu route has proved to be a success. The hybrid vessel will be powered by a motor that can source energy from solar panels, battery, and generator. Its battery will have 80 KWh (kilowatt hour) power backup as compared to 50 KWh backup in Aditya.
