CPCB Introduces Blue Category for Essential Environmental Services
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) | Introduced a new Blue Category for industries providing Essential Environmental Services (EES). |
| Blue Category Industries | Includes waste-to-energy plants, compressed biogas plants (CBG), and biomining operations. |
| Incentives | Extended consent validity of seven years (two years more than other categories) for Blue Category industries. |
| Pollution Index (PI) | Red (PI > 80), Orange (55 ≤ PI < 80), Green (PI ≤ 25), Blue (new category). |
| Waste to Energy Plants | Moved to Blue Category despite Red Category PI of 97.6 due to their role in waste management. |
| Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plants | Blue Category for plants using municipal solid waste, agro-residue, or energy crops; Red Category for those using industrial waste. |
| Verification | Industries implementing environmental measures verified by a committee are eligible for incentives. |
| Environmental Clearance (EC) | Dual compliance removed: Industries with EC no longer need Consent to Establish (CTE). |
| White Category Industries | Exempt from both CTE and Consent to Operate (CTO). |