Negative Environmental Impacts of Oil Shale Use Are to Be Reduced

Abstract

Negative environmental impacts of oil shale use, whether for electricity production in power plants or for extraction of oil, are well known, thoroughly studied and comprehensively addressed at past and present issues of our journal. To reduce negative effects of oil shale use, countries and companies as well as research institutions involved in utilisation of oil shale reserves or studying the related issues have proposed and implemented mix of policy instruments: regulations, economic instruments, research and development, education and information, investments into technology shift etc. Significant results in achieving these goals have been recently obtained by pioneering the use of the CFB boilers for oil shale combustion on large scale at Narva Power Plants Ltd. Still several problems related to semi-coke disposal and hydraulic transportation of shale ashes have to be solved via technology shift at the existing plants in order to meet the compliance with coming legislation after EU accession.The European Union (EU) is constantly keeping in focus human health and environment quality, thus policies and measures taken in order to implement the present environmental, economic and social policies are more and more considering and integrating environmental concerns. Recent approval of the CAFE (Clean Air for Europe) Programme of EU, means largely strengthening of environmental regulations, particularly the ones concerning