Concerns about the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme
The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, initially launched in 2001 and advanced in 2020 to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2025, has sparked significant concerns in Andhra Pradesh due to environmental and resource-related issues.
Background and Objectives of the EBP Programme
- Introduced as a pilot project in India in 2001, aimed at reducing oil imports, carbon emissions, and boosting farmers' income.
- By 2024, the blend percentage reached 15% with a target of 20% by 2025-26, requiring 1,016 crore litres of ethanol.
- Centre offers subsidies and relaxed environmental clearance processes to facilitate ethanol production.
Environmental and Community Concerns
- Protests in Gummaladoddi, Gandepalli, and Arugolanu villages due to pollution and resource depletion concerns.
- Factories are situated near rivers/canals, affecting water sources crucial for drinking and agriculture.
- Pollution Control Board criticized for inaction against pollution from ethanol factories.
Pollution and Health Risks
- Ethanol plants emit hazardous chemicals like acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and acrolein, not mentioned in environmental clearances.
- All production plants are categorized as 'red', indicating a pollution score of 60 or more.
- Factories are often set up near human settlements without public hearings.
Water Usage Concerns
- Grain-based ethanol production requires 8-12 litres of water per litre of ethanol.
- Factories rely on groundwater due to lean river flows, contravening regulations.
Debate over Environmental Impact
- A Niti Aayog report highlights a reduction in carbon monoxide emissions with 20% ethanol blending.
- Environmentalists argue that biofuel production processes may negate such environmental gains.
- Industrialists cite high production and labor costs as barriers to implementing pollution control measures.
Call for Balanced Development
Stakeholders emphasize the need for governments to heed environmental concerns and adopt corrective measures to ensure the programme contributes to a greener future without compromising agriculture, health, and community rights.
