The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB)is currently reviewing the emissions standards for stationary sources. As mandated under Section 19 of Republic Act 8749 (the Philippine Clean Air Act of1999), “The Department shall, within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, review, or as the need therefor arises, revise and publish emission standards, to further improve the emission standards for stationary sources of air pollution. Such emission standards shall be based on mass rate of emission for all stationary sources of air pollution based on internationally-accepted standards, but not be limited to, nor be less stringent than such standards and with the standards set forth in this section.”
The review of emission standards from concentration-based to mass-rate units will consider the impacts to economy, health and availability of pollution control technologies and its cost implications. The DENR-EMB headed by the Air Quality Management Section (AQMS) and the Sampling Assessment Team (SAT) in partnership with the Clean Air Asia, De La Salle University (DLSU), and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for technical support. Consultation meetings and workshops with stakeholders from the industry are held to gather input in the standards development, especially on best available control technologies (BACT) that maybe employed in order to meet more stringent emissions standards.
Phases of the review of standards:
- Fuel Burning Equipment (Phase 1, 2, 2-C, 3-A) CY 2019-2020
- Process Equipment (Phase 3-B, 4-A, 4-B) CY 2020-2021
On May 31, 2019, The DENR-EMB in Partnership with Clean Air Asia conducted a one(1) day Consultation Workshop on Best Available Control Technologies for the Policy Review of the Mass Emission Rate Standards (MERS) for Stationary Sources held at Crowne Plaza, Ortigas, Pasig City.
As part of the DENR-EMB’s priority projects, this workshop was organized to achieve the following objectives:
- To inform stakeholders of the review process currently being done by the DENR-EMB on the emissions standards for stationary sources
- To discuss and assess best available control technologies (BACT) and mitigation strategies for emissions from gensets, boilers, and other industrial fuel sources
- To determine the cost implications of BACT and mitigation strategies to the industry in terms of installation, operation, maintenance, and compliance to more stringent emission standards
- To gather information that must be considered in the update of emissions standards
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
- Background on MERS Review and Air Pollution from Stationary Point Sources and Project Phases by Engr. Jundy Del Socorro, OIC – Air Quality Management Section (AQMS)-EMB Central Office (CO);
- (1)Driving forces and benefits of reducing emissions through policy and (2) Best International Practices: Emission Standards, Correction Factors, Integrated Environmental and Energy Planning by Engr. Christopher A. James, Consultant to Clean Air Asia (former US EPA Regulator, and State Air Quality Director);
- Health Impacts of Air Pollution in the Philippines by Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health;
- The MERS Review and Revision Process presented by Dr. Jose Bienvenido Manuel M. Biona,De La Salle University (DLSU);
- Best Available Control Technologies (BACT), Emission Mitigating Measures, and its Cost Implications: Gensets, Sugar Mills and Bagasse-Fired Boilers, Natural Gasby Mr. Avelino Salvante Jr. (Wartsila Philippines, Inc.), Engr. Diamond Jeff Paug (San Carlos Biopower, Inc.), and Engr. Elizabeth R. Bitanga (First GenCorp.);
- Compliance with current emission standards through installed air pollution control devices (APCD) presented by Engr. Kirby Eala from the Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. and Engr. Jose Reynato Morente from TeaM Energy;
- Compliance with a mass emission rate standard presented by Engr. Maricel Javier of Quezon Power.
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