Measures to reduce air pollution have been identified

The working group established by the 1st resolution of the Sub-Committee on Air Pollution Reduction of the State Great Hural met online today / December 23, 2020 /. B.Saranchimeg, Chair of the Working Group, Member of the State Great Hural, and Chair of the Air Pollution Reduction Subcommittee, introduced the plan to hear information from relevant organizations on air pollution timely information to the members of the Working Group.

First, T.Gantumur, Chairman of the Capital City Regulatory Board / General Manager of Ulaanbaatar and Head of the Mayor’s Office /, will gradually connect decentralized heat supply, heat and electricity supply boilers to central heating, electricity, gas connection and improved briquette firing technology. And information on the ongoing efforts to stop the burning of raw coal.

Then, J.Batbayar, Head of the Environmental Analysis Division of the Meteorological and Environmental Research Agency, provided information on air quality in the country and Ulaanbaatar. There are 15 24-hour air quality monitoring stations in Ulaanbaatar and 25 in the countryside, which monitor sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, PM10, PM2.5, and particulate matter. Air quality in Ulaanbaatar was characterized by moderate to low pollution in November and last week. The air quality index is rated at six levels, starting with high pollution levels, and has declined by four points in recent years.

G.Damdinnyam, G.Ganbold, T.Aubakir, Member of the Working Group and Member of the State Great Hural, and B.Saranchimeg, Member of the State Great Hural and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Air Pollution Reduction asked questions and received answers. For example, G.Damdinnyam, a member of the State Great Hural, clarified whether air pollution in Ulaanbaatar has increased compared to the same period last year, including the sulfur content. J.Batbayar, head of the Environmental Research Department of the Meteorological and Environmental Research Agency, said that the amount of sulfur dioxide measured last week was higher than in the same period the previous year due to increased fire intensity and stable airflow. N. Narangerel, acting head of the Air Quality Control Division of the Specialized Inspection Agency of the Capital City, answered that the amount of sulfur that should be 1 is equal to 1 or the standard level according to the regular analysis of improved fuels of Tavan Tolgoi Fuel LLC.

B.Saranchimeg, a member of the State Great Hural, clarified how many boilers in Ulaanbaatar, which are not connected to the district heating system, will be fired with raw coal and how many will be shut down next year. In response to the above question, 181 companies, including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, police stations, emergency services, military units, railway stations, and the private sector, are currently heating their homes with raw coal-fired stoves. The budget is working to stop the burning of 79 boilers in Zone 3 with raw coal. T.Gantumur, Chairman of the Capital City Regulatory Board, explained that the number of raw coal-fired boilers would be reduced annually, except for large thermal power plants such as Amgalan Thermal Power Plant.

Did the reduction in the price of improved fuels by up to 75 percent affect fuel supply, distribution, and reserves? Is it possible to install filters in all raw coal-fired boilers in Ulaanbaatar, rural areas, and aimags? Members of the State Great Hural (Parliament) clarified the progress of the construction work and the amount of money budgeted to reduce air pollution. Members’ questions were answered by officials from relevant organizations who attended the Working Group meeting. M.Ganbaatar, CEO of Tavan Tolgoi Fuel LLC, reduced the price of improved briquettes by 75 percent. People are at home due to the pandemic increased demand. With the second briquette plant’s commissioning in the eastern region, Nalaikh, on December 8, 2020, the situation was effectively prevented. All points were monitored for equal and accessible fuel delivery, and the relevant issues were promptly resolved with the relevant authorities.

B.Altanzul, head of the Secretariat of the National Committee for Environmental Pollution Reduction, installed filters in 368 of the 415 raw coal-fired stoves registered in Ulaanbaatar. Filters were also installed in boilers in four aimags: Khovd, Khuvsgul, and Orkhon. N. Narangerel, acting head of the Air Quality Control Department of the Capital City Specialized Inspection Agency, inspected 800 stoves nationwide. There are 108 stoves with ash traps. The response was that in 2021, aimags and soums would be rechecked for the installation of ash traps or standard stoves.

After questions and answers, members expressed their views and opinions. The National Committee for Environmental Pollution Reduction submitted its work proposal to the Subcommittee for next year to develop sound policies and plans and provide the public with accurate air pollution information. And prioritize work, especially at the local level.

Finally, B. Saranchimeg, Chair of the Working Group, Member of the State Great Hural, and Chair of the Subcommittee on Air Pollution Reduction, will provide the Working Group with information on the actual reduction of air pollution and will work on the ground to resolve the epidemic. According to the Media and Public Relations Department of the State Great Hural, the relevant organizations’ officials were instructed on the importance of cooperation in achieving the government’s goal to reduce air pollution to 80 percent.