Memory Lane: When cutting sulphur dioxide pollution was all the rage | Starr’s Point
This news emerged as a byproduct of the main story about approval by the Utility and Review Board of a modest jump in electricity rates to cover increased fuel costs. Turns out the proposed increase – about 1.1 per cent a year over three years – would be greater but for the willingness of the Liberal government to degrade air quality with more SO2 from dirtier coal.
At present, NSP’s sulphur dioxide emissions are capped at 72,000 tonnes a year. NSP revealed to the utility board that the province intends to amend its Air Quality Regulations to allow 90,000 tonnes of emissions for 2021 and 2022.
“The revised SO2 emissions limit for 2020-2022 will result in significant savings in solid fuel costs for customers,” notes NSP.Translation: high sulphur coal is cheaper – and it appears NSP plans to burn a fair amount of it over the next two years.