We would like to draw your attention to a Defra led Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry. This consultation sets out a package of reforms to modernise the environmental permitting framework for industry and energy sectors including medium combustion plant and specified generators. The consultation runs until the 21st October 2025.
Of particular interest to MCP and SG stakeholders are:
- Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – R&D and testing exemption for generators – Defra – Citizen Space – Defra are looking for feedback on the option of exempting specified generators which are used for research, development or testing.
- Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – Integrated Pollution Control and BAT for all industry – Defra – Citizen Space & Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – Medium combustion plant and specified generators – Defra – Citizen Space – Defra are looking for feedback on a proposal to consider applying BAT and integrated pollution control to medium combustion plant and specified generators
- Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – Registration approach for smaller Medium Combustion Plant – Defra – Citizen Space – Defra are looking for feedback on a proposal to introduce a registration approach for smaller (1-5MWth) Medium Combustion Plant
- Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – Other technical scope changes – Defra – Citizen Space – This part of the consultation is looking for feedback on proposals to reconsiders regulator responsibilities which could include the decision about a single regulator for all MCP (e.g. A2 facilities).
- Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – Back-up generators and data centres – Defra – Citizen Space – Exploring options for the proportionate regulation of back-up generators including an option to remove the requirement for carbon monoxide (CO) and NOx monitoring for back-up generators, and more broadly to look at regulation of aggregated back up generators such as at data centres. Defra are also exploring amendments to the wording of Schedule 25B to make clear that generators used to self-generate power outside of an emergency, by participating in demand side response, shall be subject to regulation and require a Specified Generator permit.
- Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) – Defra – Citizen Space – whether there is a case for closer alignment between the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) and environmental permitting regimes, so that swifter, more complementary action can be taken to resolve local air quality issues.
Details of how to respond to the Defra consultation can be found here: Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry – Consultation details – Defra – Citizen Space
