The Emission Level Change of Air Pollutants Since the Implementation of the Total Air Pollutant Emission-Cap Management System

This study analyzed the emission trend of power generation facilities after the implementation of the Total Air Pollutant Emission-Cap Management System (TAPEMS) and the effect of its introduction by comparing the concentration with facilities in areas where the TAPEMS was not implemented. Since the introduction of the TAPEMS, the average concentration of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from power generation facilities has decreased by 58% and sulfur oxides (SOx) by 51%, so even though the number of power generation facilities subject to the TAPEMS has increased, the total pollutant emission and sulfur oxides were reduced by 39% and 47%, respectively, compared to the maximum levels (NOx in 2010, SOx in 2013). By fuel, solid fuel power generation facilities showed the largest reduction by 65% in 2019 compared to 2008 in both nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, followed by gas fuel (NOx 55%) and liquid fuel (NOx 32%, SOx 14%). As a result of analyzing the net policy effect of the TAPEMS by comparing the concentration with power generation facilities in non-metropolitan areas, the introduction of the TAPEMS resulted in 16.9% (36,663 tons) of nitrogen oxides and 31.3% (31,532 tons) of sulfur oxides were further reduced, and when converted into social costs due to air pollution, it was calculated to reach 576,484 million won.