Cleaner Air for Calcutta

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Photo: Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation

By boosting access to American know-how, the U.S.-Asia Environmental Partnership helped a 50-year-old thermal power plant in Calcutta "clean up its act." The United States-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP), in association with Beltran Associates Inc. (a U.S. company), introduced new emissions reduction technology to a coal-fired thermal plant in Calcutta, cutting pollution and saving jobs. Access to the local market was the key. U.S. assistance helped the American company make its pollution-reducing technology available to Calcutta 's largest power utility. The technology helped to cut previously dangerous levels of air pollution to environmentally permissible limits. It saved 700 jobs for local residents and added ten years to the life of the 130 mega watt power plant, which was under pressure from regulatory authorities to shut down. Related pollution prevention activities led by USAID India have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a staggering 11.3 million tons.

Also:
India 's experience in regulating vehicular air pollution in Delhi has been cited as an innovative model throughout Southeast Asia. A USAID supported study, "Clearing the Air," reveals why air quality reforms took hold. Read article (PDF, 123.3k). (Download Acrobat Reader)

A compendium of USAID's future climate change activities in India was released on November 10, 2003 at a Climate Change Technology Bazaar. Harlan Watson, Senior Climate Negotiator and Special Representative, U.S. Department of State led the U.S. delegation. Read compendium (PDF, 1.00m). (Download Acrobat Reader)

Date: 2004