SA’s national air quality officer has rejected Sasol’s request to measure the sulphur dioxide emissions from its Secunda boiler plant in an alternative manner, putting the petrochemical giant at risk of violating the country’s air quality laws and facing legal consequences.
The rejection raises questions about the sustainability of Sasol, which said in its 2022 annual report that noncompliance with the minimum emissions standards could have a “material adverse impact” on its business and lead to fines, criminal charges or being asked to cease operations.
Sasol plants have until April 2025 to comply with the Air Quality Act’s minimum emission standards first introduced in 2010 and modified multiple times since 2017.
Sasol says it has spent R7bn on reducing harmful air pollution in the past seven years at its Secunda, Natref and Sasolburg plants. However, it still does not meet sulphur dioxide emission standards at its Secunda plant where 17 coal stations produce steam used in the production of petrol, diesel and electricity.
Sasol approached the national air quality officer to request that sulphur dioxide emissions be measured by mass and rate of emission rather than the concentration of particles.
The national air quality officer, who is employed in the department of forestry, fisheries & environmental affairs, rejected the request.
Activist group Just Share was able to intervene as an interested party.
Just Share argued that the Secunda plant is situated on the Highveld where there are 12 Eskom coal stations and air quality is among the worst in the world. Based on the poor ambient air quality, they argue Sasol did not even qualify to ask for alternative measurements.
The “deadly air judgment” in March 2022 found the poor-quality air in the Highveld priority area violates citizens’ constitutional right to a healthy environment.
Sasol maintains that a particular clause in the minimum emission standards regulations, allows it to ask for an alternative measurement standard.
It states it plans to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by 30% by 2030 and will ultimately achieve more than required if a different standard is used.
Sasol contends that since 2015 it has implemented several products to reduce emissions and to comply with the minimum emission standards and has achieved 98% compliance.
“The only remaining challenge relates to achieving the concentration-based limit for sulphur dioxide emissions from the boilers at the Secunda operations’ steam plants,” Sasol said in a statement.
Just Share said in its submission that its justification for its request was “presented in an obscure manner” and was a way “to evade legal compliance with minimum emission standards. This is unlawful”.
Sulphur dioxide air pollution is bad for lung health and increases the risk of respiratory infections and risk for low birth weight infants and stillbirths.
Just Share said in its submission that SA’s sulphur dioxide standard is 28 times more lenient than China’s limits and 10 times weaker than India’s.
“If Sasol’s Secunda plant cannot comply, it should be decommissioned,” Just Share said.
Sasol says it will appeal to minister of forestry, fisheries & the environment Barbara Creecy for fresh consideration of the air quality officer’s decision.
Without the alternative measurement, it will be in noncompliance with the minimum emission standards.
Its 2022 annual report says “noncompliance may result in the violation of licence conditions with the associated consequence of administrative and criminal enforcement action, which may include directions to cease operations, fines and penalties as well as criminal prosecution and sanctions. This may have a material adverse impact on our business.”
Correction: July 13 2023
This story has been updated to reflect there are 12 coal stations in the Highveld area not six as previously stated. We regret the error.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.