Integrated environmental effect assessment on large coal-electricity production base and sustainability strategy: A case in Xilin Gol, China

Abstract

Coal-electricity production base (CEPB) is an integrated plant comprising of coal mining, power conversation and chemical treatment in a particular area. As a representative of the national energy structure's adjustment and development, a CEPB could support the West-to-East Gas Transmission Project and manage electric networks. However, the national large-scale CEPBs are always distributed in arid and semi-arid regions in the north of China, which has already led to ecological and environmental problems to local areas. This paper aims at making a comprehensive assessment on CEPBs by building an assessment index system and an assessment model of the environmental effects of the large CEPB in Xilin Gol, China. The results showed that the integrated assessment result is 0.64, which reflects that the exploitation and construction of CEPBs have not severely damaged the ecological environment of Xilin Gol yet, but the water environment has been seriously disturbed and the damage to the atmosphere, soil and ecological system, as well as other potential ecological harm, cannot be ignored. Towards future sustainability, this paper provides five sustainable strategies which are established on a comprehensive framework, establishing monitoring mechanisms of the environmental impact process, devising metrics of sustainability and keeping regular assessment using fine management to continuously decrease the pollutants in production processes and meet goals of regional sustainable development.