NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study Best Practice Measures for Reducing Non-Road Diesel Exhaust Emissions
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NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study Best Practice Measures for Reducing Non-Road Diesel Exhaust Emissions NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study Best Practice Measures for Reducing Non-Road Diesel Exhaust Emissions Final Report www.epa.nsw.gov.au NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study Best Practice Measures for Reducing Non-Road Diesel Exhaust Emissions © State of NSW, Environment Protection Authority The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the State of NSW are pleased to allow this material to be reproduced, for educational or non-commercial use, in whole or in part, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of images. Disclaimer: The EPA has compiled this document in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. The EPA does not accept responsibility for any inaccurate or incomplete information supplied by third parties. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. The EPA shall not be liable for any damage which may occur to any person or organisation taking action or not on the basis of this publication. Readers should seek appropriate advice about the suitability of the information to their needs. Published by: NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) 59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232 Report pollution and environmental incidents: Environment Line: 131 555 (NSW only) or [email protected] See also www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pollution Phone: +61 2 9995 5000 (switchboard) Phone: 131 555 (NSW only – environment information and publication requests) Fax: +61 2 9995 5999 TTY users: phone 133 677, then ask for 131 555 Speak and listen users: phone 1300 555 727, then ask for 131 555 Email: [email protected] Website: www.epa.nsw.gov.au ISBN 978-1-74359-970-9 EPA 2015/0242 August 2015 NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study Best Practice Measures for Reducing Non-Road Diesel Exhaust Emissions Acknowledgements This study was performed with the help of organisations and individuals who should be recognised for their efforts. The Environment Protection Authority thanks: NSW Minerals Council and members (especially BHP Billiton, Peabody, Rio Tinto and Xstrata) in coordinating and providing feedback on the 2013 survey of EPA-licensed coal mines Taverner Research for making the data gathering exercise a success by conducting the 2013 survey and following up with all respondents to ensure a 100% response rate Fifty eight EPA-licensed coal mines that participated in the 2013 survey. This high quality data was essential for the completion of this study Caltex for providing Adblue cost data to ensure the operating costs of new equipment with high levels of US emissions certification could be fully evaluated Exhaust Control Industries, IAC Colpro, Mammoth Equipment & Exhausts, Johnson Matthey and Umicore for providing information and cost data for retrofit diesel exhaust aftertreatment equipment Caterpillar Inc., Cummins South Pacific Pty Ltd, Glencore, MTU Detroit Diesel Australia Pty Ltd, NSW Minerals Council, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG for providing comments on the draft report Mr Nick Agapides, Manager Major Air Projects and Mr Gareth Jones, Senior Atmospheric Scientist for their efforts in project scoping and management, gathering and analysing information and data and preparing this report. iii Best Practice Measures for Reducing Non-Road Diesel Exhaust Emissions Executive Summary Executive summary Project background This project complements the NSW coal mining benchmarking study: International best practice measures to prevent and/or minimise emissions of particulate matter from coal mining (Katestone Environmental, 2011), which is being implemented by the EPA through the Dust Stop program (EPA, 2011). The aim of this project is to complete a cost benefit analysis (CBA), which evaluates a number of options for reducing exhaust particulate matter (PM) emissions from non-road diesel vehicles and equipment (non-road diesels) for all 64 coal mines in NSW that hold a current environment protection licence (EPL) (EPA, 2013a). The main focus of this project is about non-road diesels used in surface applications at both open-cut and underground coal mines but it specifically excludes non-road diesels used in underground applications. Given that approximately 90% of all diesel consumed by EPA-licensed coal mines is in the high power (≥ 560 kW) equipment class (EPA, 2013b), this project is principally aimed at evaluating options for reducing PM emissions from non-road diesels in this class, although the requirements apply to all power ranges (from < 8 kW to ≥ 560 kW). The scope of this project includes: review international best practice measures to reduce non-road diesel emissions at NSW coal mines conduct a survey of all EPA-licensed coal mines to determine the size, composition, emissions certification, activity levels, fuel types and consumption and maintenance practices of the non-road diesel fleet compare international best practice measures to reduce non-road diesel emissions with those currently used at each NSW coal mine make recommendations regarding the adoption of international best practice measures that could be practicably implemented at each NSW coal mine estimate the likely reduction in non-road diesel emissions and health costs associated with adopting each international best practice measure at each NSW coal mine estimate the costs associated with adopting each international best practice measure at each NSW coal mine implement the findings by attaching a pollution reduction program (PRP) to EPL conditions (similar to the process followed for the Dust Stop program) in order to prevent and/or minimise non-road diesel exhaust emissions at EPA-licensed coal mines in NSW; The PRP should only apply to non-road diesels used in surface applications at both open-cut and underground coal mines. This report presents the supporting scientific, technical, health and economic based evidence, in order to objectively establish the extent to which non-road diesel exhaust PM emissions can be practicably reduced. Health effects of particulate matter Numerous scientific studies have linked PM exposure to a variety of lung and heart problems, including: premature death in people with heart or lung disease; nonfatal heart attacks; irregular heartbeat; aggravated asthma; decreased lung function; and increased iv Best Practice Measures for Reducing Non-Road Diesel Exhaust Emissions Executive Summary respiratory symptoms (leading to hospital admissions and emergency room visits), such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing (USEPA, 2009a). People with heart or lung diseases, children and older adults are the most likely to be affected by PM exposure. However, even healthy individuals may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of PM. Both long (over years) and short term (hours or days) PM exposure has been linked to health problems. While there is no safe level of exposure for PM, the risk of health impacts decreases with lower levels of exposure (WHO, 2006). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has now classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence that exposure is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer (IARC, 2012). The IARC has also identified that air pollution as a whole (including the small particles that make up part of air pollution) causes cancer (IARC, 2013). Health costs of particulate matter More Australians die each year from air pollution (3,056) than from road traffic accidents (1,662) (AIHW, 2007). Many more Australians, primarily children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, live with impaired health and quality of life due to air pollution. Air pollution causes 27,519 disability-adjusted life years (DALY)) (AIHW, 2007). Although air quality in NSW is relatively good by international standards and has been steadily improving over time (DECCW, 2010), it still imposes major costs on NSW communities. The health costs of air pollution in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region (GMR) have been calculated at $4.7 billion per annum (DEC, 2005a). Transport emissions alone have been calculated to have health costs of $2.7 billion per year in Australia (BTRE, 2005). The most significant health costs result from exposure to PM and to a lesser extent, ground-level ozone (O3). Ambient air quality, sources of particulate matter and particle composition The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (Ambient Air Quality NEPM) establishes ambient air quality standards for six key pollutants (carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), PM10, O3, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and PM2.5) and provides jurisdictions with a standard way of monitoring and reporting on ambient air quality (NEPC, 2003). Current Air Quality in New South Wales (DECCW, 2010) and New South Wales State of the Environment 2012 (EPA, 2012b) show that ambient levels of CO, Pb, NO2 and SO2 are all consistently below their respective Ambient Air Quality NEPM standards in most areas. However, ambient levels of O3 in urban areas and particulate matter (PM10 & PM2.5)) in both rural and urban areas can exceed Ambient Air Quality NEPM standards, so they are the pollutants of greatest