As part of its initiatives to build an ecosystem of incentives and deterrence measures, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has developed a new concept called ‘First Run.’

Experts believe that the initiative would encourage cleaner power stations to work on a priority basis. “This could act as a catalyst to drive the coalfired power sector to meet the 2022 emission standard deadlines as a matter of urgency,” said a release issued by the CSE.

A webinar to discuss and debate this issue will be held on October 21, between 4pm to 5pm. The panel of experts include Bibek Debroy, chairperson of the Prime Minister's Economic Council, Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, secretary, Union ministry of power, Gurdeep Singh, chairperson and MD, NTPC Ltd, Anil Sardana, MD and CEO, Adani Transmission Ltd, and Nivit K Yadav, programme director, Industrial Pollution, CSE.

The session will be anchored and moderated by CSE director general Sunita Narain. Key stakeholders representing regulatory agencies, civil society organisations, power plants and academia are also being invited to participate.

“Coal-based power is one of the most resource-intensive and polluting industries. In 2015, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change introduced stricter environmental standards for this sector under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The deadline for meeting these norms is 2022 — but with just two years to go, most plants do not seem to have taken adequate action nor made significant progress towards meeting them,” said a release from the CSE.