Work on updating the Air Quality Plan has begun

The Air Quality Plan for the Malopolska Region is a strategy that will indicate how to achieve compliance with the air quality standards in the Malopolska Region. The Program adopted in 2013 by the Sejmik of the Malopolska Region indicated who is to be responsible for exceeding the limits and what should be done to make the inhabitants of the Malopolska Region breathe healthy air. The main cause of significant amounts of pollutants in the air were the low-quality, obsolete appliances for solid fuels used in the communal-housing sector, but also the high intensity of transport influencing high levels of nitrogen dioxide in Krakow.

Since then, three years have elapsed, and the effects of the implemented actions include 22 thousand of the old sources of coal burning replaced and investments worth PLN 585 million. This resulted in the reduction by more than 350 tons of particulate matter and 180 kg of harmful benzo (a) pyrene. The currently being updated Air Pollution Program under the legislation is expected to revise how the objectives and actions set out in the previous Program are likely to be implemented and what can be additionally accomplished to achieve significant improvements in air quality. On the basis of a new diagnosis of the causes of poor air quality, a new strategy of action will be established, which will enable the Malopolska Region to operate in a healthy atmosphere.

We expect the Program to be co-created with the residents, local governments and institutions that have an impact on creating ecological awareness. We encourage everyone to take an active part in the development of the air quality improvement strategy in the Malopolska Region by participating in public consultations and submitting their proposals and comments. By 29 July, every resident, organization or institution can submit comments and requests that will be analyzed in the context of the document being prepared. They can be sent electronically to the following e-mail address: powietrze@umwm.pl or to the following address: Marshal’s Office of the Malopolska Region, Environment Department, 56 Racławicka, 30-017 Krakow.

In September, a series of consultative meetings will be held in Krakow, Tarnow, Nowy Sącz, Chrzanów and Nowy Targ, during which analyzes will be presented on the proposed pollution mitigation measures under the new Program. The draft of the Air Quality Plan for the Malopolska Region in November 2016 will be subjected to proper social consultations and opinions expressed by municipalities and counties. At the same time, every resident will be able to present their position, submit their comments and proposals related to the draft document.

On the website powietrze.malopolska.pl/aktualizacja-pop you will find information on the current progress of work, planned consultations and source materials that are used in the work on updating the Program.

We encourage active cooperation in updating the strategy for improving air quality in the Malopolska Region.

The European Commission filed a complaint against Poland at the Court of Justice of the European Union on 22 June concerning the requirements of Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on air quality and cleaner air for Europe (CAFE – Clean Air for Europe). Poland has time until September 1 to prepare a reply to the allegations of the European Commission.

In the complaint, the Commission proposes to state that Poland failed to fulfill its obligations by:

  • exceeding, from 2007 to 2013, the daily limit values for PM10 in 35 air quality zones (including 9 zones in which the situation has not improved over the years),
  • failure to adopt appropriate measures in Air Quality Plans aiming at the shortest possible occurrence of airborne PM10 exceedances,
  • incorrect transposition of the CAFE Directive into the Polish legal order.

The obligation not to exceed the annual and daily limit values for PM10 was put into effect as early as on January 1, 2005. The Commission indicated that, according to the reports sent to the European Commission, the situation of exceeding the daily limit values of PM10 in Poland had not improved after 2013, so it was decided to initiate proceedings concerning infringement of the CAFÉ Directive.

The European Commission refers, among others, to the approved ban on the burning of coal and other solid fuels designated in the Program for the purpose of heating apartments and houses in Krakow. This resolution was taken in 2013, however, abolished by the Provincial Administrative Court in August 2014 due to lack of appropriate statutory authorization. Only the amendment of the Environmental Protection Act (the so-called anti-smog law), finally adopted in October 2015, enabled regional self-governments throughout Poland to introduce bans on coal in municipalities and to heat only with high-quality coal or modern boilers. On January 15, 2016 the Sejmik of the Malopolska Region adopted a resolution banning the use of solid fuels in Krakow from 1 September 2019. The Commission emphasizes that it is the only region that has used this possibility so far.

A debate was held in Oswiecim with the participation of the Marshal of the Malopolska Region on the use of EU funds from the Regional Operational Program of the Malopolska Region for the years 2014-2020 for the replacement of the old solid fuel boilers.

Only by July 25, 2016, municipalities can file project charters to the Marshal’s Office for the elimination of low emission under sub-measures 4.4.2 and 4.4.3. Filing cards before this deadline is essential for the municipality to be able to participate in the appropriate call for projects scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2016.

Call for project charters for sub-measure 4.4.2

Call for project charters for sub-measure 4.4.3

By July 25, 2016 subregional project charters are being filed within sub-measures 4.4.2 and 4.4.3 Lowering the level of low emission under the Regional Operational Program of the Malopolska Region 2014-2020.

The funds may be applied by local government units, their unions and associations, organizational units of self-governments with legal personality and entities responsible for the development of district heating networks.

Under sub-measure 4.4.2, the co-financing is intended for the replacement of heat sources in individual households with sources using biomass and gaseous fuels, heat pumps and district heating, while under sub-measure 4.4.3, for the replacement of heat sources in individual households with modern coal boilers.

The maximum level of funding for a new heating device is 350 PLN / kW, but not more than PLN 8 000.

Filing a project charter is essential to participate in the subsequent competition procedure.

The call rules and the design of the project charter are available on the websites of the Malopolska Region:

Call for project charters for sub-measure 4.4.2

Call for project charters for sub-measure 4.4.3

In the presence of the authorities of the Malopolska Region, the European Commission, invited guests and partners in the Polish Aviation Museum was held kick-off meeting for LIFE integrated project to improve air quality in the Malopolska region. Thanks to the determination of more than 50 municipalities of Malopolska and financial support from the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Krakow, it was possible to run the project, which aims to accelerate the implementation of the Air Quality Plan. It was officially announced that the Silesian Region joined the project, making it possible to undertake common sub-regional actions and initiatives.

Christian Strasser from LIFE Unit presented the expectations of the European Commission against the LIFE integrated projects which are a new instrument for the implementation of the EU strategy to improve the quality of the environment. Guido de Wilt from Air Quality Unit presented the priorities of the EU policy to improve air quality, which serves to protect the residents health.

Partners from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Belgium shared their experiences in methods of assessing air quality and measures to reduce emissions. Energy advisors of from Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management presented the objectives of the project of advisory support to municipalities and the National Agency for Energy Conservation their planned activities for support Eco-managers in municipalities. President of the Association Krakow Smog Alert presented the planned support for campaign to raise awareness of the residents and Deputy Director of the Regional Environmental Protection Inspectorate presented their monitoring of the implementation of Air Quality Plan in Małopolska. The experiences of ongoing efforts to improve air quality and their connection with the LIFE project were presented by representatives of Krakow, Wadowice and Miechow.

Presentations:

Air quality policy in the European Union – Wilhelmus de Wilt, Air Unit, European Commission

The experience of the Czech Republic in the implementation of measures to improve air quality – Vendula Breburdová, Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic

Aims of the LIFE IP Małopolska – Wojciech Kozak, Deputy Marshal of the Małopolska Region (in Polish)

The priorities of air quality actions in Slovakia and planned activities in the project – Jana Krajčovičová, Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute in Bratislava

The role and planned activities of VITO in the project – Clemens Mensink, Lisa Blyth, VITO NV, Belgium

The project of advisory support in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources – Małgorzata Mrugała, President of the Board, Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Kraków (in Polish)

Supervision over the implementation of the Air quality plan – Ryszard Listwan, Deputy Director of the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Kraków (in Polish)

Priorities of the city of Krakow in improving air quality and planned activities in the project – Witold Śmiałek, Advisor to the President of Krakow for the air quality (in Polish)

The experience of the municipality of Miechów in the implementation of measures to improve air quality and the role in the project – Dariusz Marczewski, Mayor of Miechów (in Polish)

The experience of the municipality of Wadowice in the implementation of measures to improve air quality and the role in the project – Paweł Jodłowski, Municipality of Wadowice (in Polish)

The role and planned activities of the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency in the project – Karolina Loth-Babut, Managing director of the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency (in Polish)

On 22 June 2016 will take place the official kick-off meeting of the LIFE IP Malopolska. The conference will be held in the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow, John Paul II avenue 39.

To participate in the conference, please contact Małgorzata Musielok, e-mail: malgorzata.musielok@umwm.pl or by phone +48126303594. The conference will be held in Polish and English. Simultaneous translation will be provided.

Conference Agenda

10:00 Registration.

10:30 Welcome – Jacek Krupa, Marshal of the Małopolska Region.

10:45 Opening keynote – Urszula Nowogórska, President of the Regional Parliament of Małopolska.

Session 1

11:00 Expectations of the European Commission towards LIFE integrated projects – Christian Strasser, LIFE Unit, European Commission.

11:20 Air quality policy in the European Union – Wilhelmus de Wilt, Air Unit, European Commission.

11:40 The experience of the Czech Republic in the implementation of measures to improve air quality – Vendula Breburdová, Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic.

12:00 Cofee break.

Session 2

12:20 Aims of the LIFE IP Małopolska – Wojciech Kozak, Deputy Marshal of the Małopolska Region.

12:40 The priorities of air quality actions in Slovakia and planned activities in the project – Jana Krajčovičová, Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute in Bratislava.

13:00 The role and planned activities of VITO in the project – Clemens MensinkLisa Blyth, VITO NV, Belgium.

13:20 The project of advisory support in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources – Małgorzata Mrugała, President of the Board, Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Kraków.

13:40 Supervision over the implementation of the Air quality plan – Ryszard Listwan, Deputy Director of the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Kraków.

14:00 Lunch.

Session 3

14:30 Priorities of the city of Krakow in improving air quality and planned activities in the project – Witold Śmiałek, Advisor to the President of Krakow for the air quality.

14:50 The experience of the municipality of Miechów in the implementation of measures to improve air quality and the role in the project – Dariusz Marczewski, Mayor of Miechów.

15:10 The experience of the municipality of Wadowice in the implementation of measures to improve air quality and the role in the project – Paweł Jodłowski, Municipality of Wadowice.

15:30 The role and planned activities of Kraków Smog Alert in the project – Andrzej Guła, Kraków Smog Alert.

15:50 The role and planned activities of the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency in the project – Karolina Loth-Babut, Managing director of the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency.

16:10 Closing.

The criteria for selecting projects for the replacement of heat sources in individual households under the Measure 4.4 “Reduction of Pollution Emissions to Air” of the Regional Operational Program for the Malopolska Region for the years 2014-2020 were determined.

The most important prerequisites for evaluating the submitted projects include:

  • Obligation of the final customers to be subject to the energy assessment of the building made prior to the project implementation and the energy modernization of the building within the scope resulting from the aforementioned assessment. If the building has a maximum value of EPH+W (non-renewable primary energy for heating, ventilation and domestic hot water) not greater than 150 kWh / (m² x year) for single-family houses or 135 kWh / (m² x year) for multi-family homes, Energy-efficient retrofitting of the building will not be required. In the case of historic residential buildings, it will be possible not to perform the assessment based on the EPH+W indicator and to specify the minimum range of thermo-modernization works needed.
  • Consideration of the project in the Low Carbon Economy Plan for the area, as reviewed and confirmed by the WFOŚiGW in Cracow or the NFEP & WM with respect to the correctness of the preparation of the document.
  • Achieving CO2 emission reduction of at least 30% for the existing installations.
  • Using of the right kind of heating systems based on boilers or room heaters burning biomass, coal or gaseous fuels or using renewable energy sources or being connected to the heating network. The supported heating appliances must have the minimum energy efficiency and emission standards set out in the implementing provisions of Directive 2009/125/EC of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (the so-called Ecodesign Directive). This requirement applies to all fuels permitted for use in the equipment instructions. In addition, biomass or coal fired boilers must be equipped with an automatic fuel feeder (not for gasification boilers) and must not have any emergency grate or the possibility for mounting it.
  • Providing a control system for the operation of the heating devices to fulfill the obligation to dismantle the old boiler, using only a subsidized heating system as a primary source of heat in the building, no unauthorized modifications of a boiler to incinerate waste (e.g. an additional grate),  observing the fuel parameters approved by the device manufacturer and given in the device’s operating instructions, including the end user’s approval of having sampled and inspected the fuel sample parameters, and ensuring proper fuel storage conditions to protect it against damp.
  • Ensuring project compliance with district heating network development plans – if the connection to the district heating network is planned by the end of September 2019, the project must include the elimination of the old heat source and the connection to the district heating network.

Additional points will be awarded to projects that provide for connection to the local heating network, environmental awareness activities, the preparation of a shelter program for people who incur increased heating costs of the premises associated with permanent change of heating system and when the project is being implemented in the municipalities in which it is necessary to undertake corrective actions consisting in the liquidation of old non-disposable heating devices and specified in the current Air Quality Plan for the Malopolska Region. The projects that will result in a higher reduction of CO and PM10 and PM2.5 (over 40%) will also be promoted.

The Malopolska Region allocated a total of EUR 420 million for the projects within the Regional Energy Policy, including EUR 100 million for actions aimed at reducing air pollution. The planned start date for the call for grant applications for subregions under sub-measure 4.4.2 Reduction of low emission and 4.4.3 Reduction of low emission (solid fuels) – SPR is Q4 2016.

Resolution of the Management Board of the Malopolska Region on the acceptance of the proposals for the selection criteria of projects within the framework of the 4th priority axis of the ROPMR 2014-2020 Regional energy policy

Schedule of the calls for the applications for co-financing within the Regional Operational Program for the Malopolska Region 2014-2020

On 25 May was held an organizational meeting for the municipalities that express their willingness to participate in implementation of LIFE integrated project co-financed by the European Commission and the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Krakow.

The meeting was opened by Wojciech Kozak, Deputy Marshal of the Małopolska Region who thanked municipalities for active attitude and willingness to participate in the project. Guests and speakers of the meeting were also energy advisors of the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Krakow implementing in the Małopolska system of advisory support for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Co-beneficiaries of the project were also given the most important information needed to start the procedure of employment of Eco-managers in municipalities.

LIFE project Implementation of Air Quality Plan for Małopolska Region – Małopolska in a healthy atmosphere (in Polish)

National system of advisory support for the public sector, housing and entrepreneurs in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy (in Polish)

Technical aspects of the employment of Eco-managers (in Polish)

At the turn of May and June, the Krakow CHP plant EDF Polska SA, is starting star-up tests of their new peak sources will start – 8 oil-fired boilers with a capacity of 35 MWt each. These tests are to confirm the correctness of the new installation by the contractors and prepare them for the operation in the winter. The first stage of testing will last until mid-July and the next phase will be at the beginning of the heating season.

The new peak boiler room is one of the elements of the new pro-environmental installations which also include the installation of desulphurization and the installation of flue gas denitrification on blocks 3 and 4. The new boiler room will replace old coal-fired boilers. The entire program of the adaptation of the Krakow thermal power plant installations to the new environmental requirements began in 2013 and will cost approx. PLN 650 million. The next stage of this project is the currently implemented installation of flue gas denitiation in blocks 1 and 2, to be completed in 2017.

On 19 May 2016 at the invitation of the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, representatives of the Małopolska Region were attended at a conference on LIFE integrated projects organized in Budapest. The aim of the meeting was to present the experience of Małopolska Region and the German Hesse Region in successfully applying for funds from the LIFE program.

The conference was attended by representatives of the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture headed by András Rácz, Deputy State Secretary of Environment Affairs, but also the Ministry of National Development, government agencies, regions and organizations that are potential beneficiaries of the LIFE programme in the field of air protection and water management. Experiences of the Małopolska Region in the preparation of the proposal for the LIFE program presented Tomasz Pietrusiak, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment in Marshal Office.

Participants of the meeting expressed their willingness to cooperate and exchange experiences in preparing and implementing air quality plans and LIFE projects.