Press Release

December 04, 2009
  • Environmental Policy

MOE's Opinions on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement regarding the replacement of facility in No.2 Himeji Power Plant.

Last December 4, 2009, the MOE submitted its opinions on the draft environmental impact statement regarding the replacement of facility in No.2 Himeji Power Plant (Kansai Electric Power Co.,Inc.). MOE aims to ensure the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's security precondition (METI) in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law and the Electric Utility Law.
This project replaces a thermal power facility with state-of-the-art combined cycle natural gas power plant in No.2 Himeji Power Plant (Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.). Since it is one of the world's highest generating efficiency, it is expected to contribute the reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions in a large way. In addition, this project reduces nitrogen oxide and heated water discharges after service, and expected to effect reduction of greenhouse gases and other environmental impact all together. As a result, it will produce the best effect reduction of greenhouse gases and will reduce environmental impact as much as possible. MOE's opinions point out the need to take the following measures appropriately.
1) Greenhouse gas
Since this Power Plant replaces electric power facility and is one of the world's highest generating efficiency, produce the best effect reduction of greenhouse gases by taking the following measures.
Implement this project steadily, and aim to start the operation as early as possible to produce the best effect reduction of greenhouse gases by this project at an early date.
Maintain the electric power facility utilization of this power plant in operating electric power supply, and do all shared operation including other power plant appropriately. In this way, take further reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions of the overall power which the company sells. In case it will create a greenhouse gas emission framework after 2013, address carbon dioxide emissions reduction on the basis of this framework.
Proceed with the action of greenhouse gas emission at business establishment in this power plant, and ask builder for taking carbon dioxide action by using non-energy material such as blended cement and advance measures to conserve energy such as fuel-efficient constructing machine for greenhouse gas emissions on construction phase.
2) Aquatic impact
Since the surrounding sea areas of this power plant is Seto Inland Seam, that is an enclosed coastal seas, as much as possible water pollution source discharge amount for out-and-out operation management of related electric power facility and effluent treatment facility.
3) Animals
Because the bare area where it is located apply expectably for breeding of Little Ringed Plover, Snowy Plover and Little Tern, make bare area that is suitable breeding site for these birds on a premise wherever possible, and consider breeding season on the advice of experts.


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