Gov’t names 27 potential polluters

The Vinh Tan Thermal Power Plant 2. Up to 27 projects of seven State corporations are listed in a Ministry of Industry and Trade’s directive as being liable to cause environmental pollution. - Photo baohaiquan.vn

In the directive on strengthening environmental protection issued this week, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh requested all relevant corporations to review and report their findings, as well as suggest measures for environmental protection in 2016-17.

The Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) topped the list with eight projects, namely Thai Binh Thermal Power Plant 1, Vinh Tan Thermal Power Plant 2, Vinh Tan Thermal Power Plant 4 and its expanded project, Duyen Hai 1, Duyen Hai 3 and its expanded project, and the Quang Ninh Thermal Power Company.

The Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group was second with six projects, including Vung Ang 1 Power Plant, Long Phu 1 Thermal Power Plant, Thai Binh 2, Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant, Nghi Son Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Complex and the Ca Mau Gas Processing Plant.

Projects of Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group - Nhan Co-Dak Nong Alumina Plant, Lam Dong Aluminum Company, Thach Khe iron mine project and Sin Quyen copper mining and processing project - were also named.

Other listed projects belong to the Việt Nam National Chemical Group, the Viet Nam Textile and Garment Group, the Viet Nam Steel Corporation and the Viet Nam Paper Corporation.

Minister Anh asked the ministry’s Industrial Techniques and Environment Agency to closely monitor, inspect and report on the projects which are likely to cause pollution.

"The agency will co-ordinate with other departments of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to organise special monitoring on such projects," he stressed.

Also in this directive, Anh requested a specialised review and evaluation of production technology in the fields of thermal power generation, chemicals, mining, mineral processing and textiles.

In the case of EVN’s projects, Anh required the General Directorate of Energy in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the EVN to review and evaluate the overall impact on the environment of the Vinh Tan and Duyen Hai power centres in 2017 and continue with other power centres afterwards.

For investors in coal-fired power projects, the minister asked for the development and implementation of appropriate ash treatment so that no ash can be released into the environment.

"All State groups and corporations should resolutely refuse to invest in projects with potential risks of affecting the environment. They also need to gradually innovate the technologies to reduce emissions into the environment," Anh said.