The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH) is set to regulate industries in the Jabodetabek area that continue to use coal-fired boilers for electricity production.
Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, said that operations of industries utilizing coal boilers could be halted if they do not comply with established regulations.
“We have identified around 360 industries that must stop their activities if they do not adhere to pollution standards,” Hanif said during a visit to the Cipinang Riverbank in Jakarta on Friday, November 1, 2024.
Initially, the environment and forestry ministry will impose administrative sanctions on non-compliant industries. If these companies continue to ignore government policies, the ministry will take further action to shut down their operations.
This initiative aims to improve air quality in Jakarta, which has been deteriorating due to pollution. The identified industries contribute approximately 14 to 15 percent of the city’s air pollution.
“Pollution from coal-using industries results in PM 2.5 emissions, which we are targeting first,” Hanif said.
He cited that the KLH would discuss the issue with the Minister of Industry. He emphasized that reducing pollution in Jakarta requires innovative solutions, including weather modification technology (TMC) to increase rainfall.
“Calculating the costs, a single rainfall event can cost around Rp2 billion (US$127,048) over 10 days. If we estimate a week of rainfall, that’s about Rp4 billion, totaling approximately Rp50 billion for the year. This is a small price to pay to maintain our air quality,” he concluded.
