Thursday, 17 August 2017 saw the publication of the “BAT (Best Available Techniques) Conclusions for Large Combustion Plants (LCP)” in the Official Journal of the European Union, which, principally, to the energy and heating sectors.
There is a four-year period for industry to modify their installations to meet the new requirements established in the BAT Conclusions for LCP with the period starting from the date of publication (17 August 2017)
The Competent Authority in each Member State (the Environment Agency in England or devolved Agency in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) has six months from 17 August 2017 to undertake compliance inspections for the installations subject to IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) permits against the requirements laid down in the BAT Conclusions for LCP.
If the compliance inspection reveals a need to amend an IPPC permit, the Competent Authority should:
- Inform the operator of the installation that it must modify the installation within four years starting from 17 August 2017 to the requirements contained in the BAT Conclusions for LCP; and
- Require the operator of the installation to apply for a modification / amendment of the IPPC permit within one year of the date of delivery of the request, specifying the scope of the application related to the amendments resulting from the compliance inspection.
A derogation from the emission limit values established in the BAT Conclusions for LCP may be applied for under the Environmental Protection Act.
A copy of the BAT Conclusions for LCP can be downloaded here