Weekly Digest: What's Behind Coal Ash Non-Hazardous Status?
Summary
- The government's decision of exempting fly ash and bottom ash (FABA) of coal fired power plant (PLTU) from the hazardous and toxic materials (B3) category had invoked controversies. Environmental activists consider the decision only to benefit the related business circles and show the government's lack of seriousness about shifting to clean energy.
- The government reasoned that the decision was to optimize the use of FABA. With coal consumption exceeding 100 million tons, FABA production could reach 10 million tons per year. FABA utilization rate is still less than 10 percent, while the rest is hoarded, burdening FABA-producer companies and the environment.
- The use of FABA is considered supporting the clean coal campaign. The government plans the use of coal as the main source of electrical energy for the next decades. The Draft General Plan for Electricity Supply for 2020-2029 shows that the portion of electricity generated from the coal-fired PLTU will increase for the 2025-2029 period, while the portion of electricity from new and renewable energy power plants will remain the same.
- Environmental activists warn of health and environmental risks looming from categorizing FABA as non-toxic waste. Various suggestions have surfaced, ranging from restoring FABA status as B3 waste and middle-ground solutions.