India is set to build an advanced ultra-super critical coal-fired power plant in the next six years, according to the Business Standard, putting it in a position to significantly reduce pollution compared to its current thermal plants. The director of Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited said that the project would make India "current in the world in terms of thermal power plant technologies." The plant would produce higher efficiency with a 15-20 percent reduction in carbon emissions, while expanding efficiency to help India meet its goal of 4,000,000 MW of power from coal-fired plants by 2030. As India works to meet the power demands of a growing nation, the population has struggled with the effects of increased air and water pollution, from a study linking pulmonary disorders to ambient air quality to the yellowing facade and degrading foundation of the Taj Mahal. Increased development of various forms of energy have been met with criticism from citizens and government boards; last week, a Central Pollution Control Board study indicated that compressed natural gas possesses significant environmental drawbacks, including the highest rates of potentially hazardous carbonyl emissions. The study also calls for regulating methane gas. However, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal announced last week that the government is developing policy to allow state-run companies to acquire foreign coal assets more quickly, saying that he was speaking to the environmental ministry to speed up clearances for coal projects. The ministry has been cautious to clear coal projects as they may result in the destruction of forests, according to the Wall Street Journal. For the Business Standard article on the new plant development, see http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/india-to-build-advanced-coal-fired-power-plant/121366/on. For the Pollution Control Board study, see http://www.hindustantimes.com/CNG-not-that-green-pollution-board/Article1-646789.aspx. For the Wall Street Journal article on increased coal demand, see http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704723104576061431530065412.html.