Coal industry lobbying forces fudge on large combustion plant

After 18 months of deliberation, the Government has failed to decide how it will implement the 2001 EU Directive on large combustion plant. Proposals for a national emissions reduction plan and acid gas trading system have been derailed by strong lobbying from the coal industry. The Government has submitted a plan to the European Commission in order to meet a legally binding deadline - but this is largely a holding operation, and the plan may be withdrawn in a few months.¹