The LCPD aims to reduce acidification, ground level ozone and particles throughout Europe by controlling emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and dust (particulate matter (PM)) from large combustion plants (LCPs). These include plants in power stations, petroleum refineries, steelworks and other industrial processes running on solid, liquid or gaseous fuel.
The LCPD reduces emissions of SO2 and NOx and dust as these pollutants are major contributors to acid deposition, which acidifies soils and freshwater bodies, damages plants and aquatic habitats, and corrodes building materials. NOx reacts with volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight to form ozone that can adversely affect human health and ecosystems.
SO2, NOx and particles can travel long distances from their sources before being deposited onto land, surface waters or oceans, or forming ozone. Emissions from the UK contribute to pollution problems in other Member States, while Germany, Netherlands, France, Ireland and Belgium are the principal non-domestic contributors to sulphur and nitrogen deposition in the UK. A Europe-wide approach to reducing these pollutants and their impacts is therefore required.
New combustion plant must meet the emission limit values (ELVs) given in the LCPD. For 'existing' plants (i.e. those in operation pre-1987), Member States can choose to meet the obligations by either:
a. Complying with ELVs for NOx, SO2, and particles.
b. Operating within a 'National Plan'. That would set an annual national level of emissions calculated by applying the ELV approach to existing plants, on the basis of those plants' average actual operating hours, fuel used and thermal input, over the 5 years to 2000. |
