S.O.2226 (E) dated 18/05/2023-Amendment in EIA Notification, 2006

A Che Gazette of India .. -2 7eT.- 37.-18052023-245943 EXTRAORDINARY AT [—@0E 3—J9-TVE (i) TR &y PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No.2132] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023/VAISAKHA 28, 1945 % faeeft, 18 wE, 2023 AETSETE | 3201 GI/2023 (&) t- o o . o MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 18th May, 2023 S.0. 2226(E).—WHEREAS, the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forest, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection ) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) has issued notification vide number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), regarding requirement of prior Environmental Clearance for the Projects covered in its Schedule; And, whereas, in view of commitment for low-carbon pathway of development, it is necessary to have a smooth integration of renewable energy in the grid and to have greater grid safety and stability, there is growing need for energy storage and thereby the development of Pumped Storage Projects is critical. And, whereas, Pump Storage Projects are considered in the category of hydropower Projects, for the purpose of Environmental Clearance. And, whereas, the environmental impacts of such Projects are less as compared to classical hydro Projects as well as irrigation and water supply Projects and therefore there is a need to rationalise Environmental Clearance process for Pump Storage Projects. And whereas, a draft notification for making further amendments in the notification of the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forest issued, vide S.O 1533(E) dated the 14% September, 2006 in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, read with clause (d) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-IL, Section 3, Sub-section(ii), vide number S.O. 4815(E) dated the 11th October, 2022, inviting objections or suggestions from the persons likely to be affected thereby, within a period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing the said draft notification were made available to the Public; And, whereas, the objections and suggestions received in response to the said draft notification have been considered by the Central Government; Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), read with clause (d) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the following further amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests, number S.0.1533(E) dated the 14th September, 2006, namely:- In the said notification, in the schedule, against item 1 (c), - (1) in column (2), for serial number (i) and entries relating thereto, the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(i) River Valley and hydro-electric Projects (RVHEPs): - (a) RVHEPs without Pump Storage Projects, (b) RVHEPs with Pump Storage Projects; (c) standalone Pump Storage Projects.” (2) in column (5), after serial number (iii) and entries relating thereto, the following shall be inserted, namely:- “(iv) Pump Storage Projects including off-stream closed loop shall be appraised based on specific Terms of Reference issued by the Central Government for Pump Storage Projects. The Pump Storage Projects which meet all the criteria specified below shall be appraised as B2 category irrespective of power generation capacity:- (a) Projects which do not attract Forest Clearance and/or Wild Life Clearance, (b) Projects wherein no new Reservoir is created (c) The Projects wherein there is no increase in capacity of the existing reservoir and in submergence area of reservoir.” Note : The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, vide number S.O. 1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 and was last amended, vide notification number S.0.3194(E), dated the 14th July, 2022. Uploadad by De. of Printing at Govemnment of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapu, New Delhi-1 10064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. st ...