The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has today announced a new two-year exemption to Delta Electricity to maintain significantly tightened emission standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx) from its Vales Point Power Station at Mannering Park.
The exemption also includes a new requirement that Delta investigate, mitigate and report on the causes of NOx emissions when the power station is operating at low loads or less than 50% of its capacity.
The emission standards, as imposed in December’s variation last year and tightened from the original application, followed a thorough review including independent technical advice, expert modelling, discussions with NSW Health and public consultation.
Modelling conducted by the Department of Planning and Environment’s Science team found that the ground level concentration of NOx in the community meet the national health-based standards.
The EPA has a comprehensive and robust framework for regulating power stations in NSW and serious penalties can apply for corporations that breach licence obligations.
Quotes that can be attributed to NSW EPA CEO, Tony Chappel:
“Our role in all NSW communities is to put people’s health and the environment first. It is the guiding principle in all that we do and drives our regulatory approach.
“We believe this exemption strikes the right balance – reducing emissions to support the health of our communities and environment but also supporting the state’s need for ongoing reliable and affordable energy.
“As part of Delta’s updated licence conditions, the Company must begin to implement better controls to proactively address their emissions and the results of this work will be considered by the EPA in 2023.
“As set out in our draft Climate Change Policy and Action plan, licensees must also consider how to improve the resilience of their infrastructure and management practices. A failure to act, is no longer an option.
“We will continue to work with Delta Electricity, and other licensed premises throughout the Hunter area, to ensure compliance and positive environmental outcomes for NSW communities.”
