Changes to coal ban considered

A ban on the burning of smoky coal is being considered by the Department of the Environment in addition to existing restrictions on the marketing, sale and distribution of the fuel.

In a review, the department said it was also considering extending the fuel ban to new urban areas which fall outside the current defined boundaries.

Details are contained in documents which are part of the review and public consultation announced by Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan today.

The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 to deal with winter smog and currently applies to 20 cities and towns. Research suggested the Dublin ban resulted in some 350 fewer deaths each year as the air was cleaner.

The extension of the ban to newer areas of towns and cities, which are beyond the boundaries set in the legislation, are among the changes being considered.

The Environmental Protection Agency found elevated particulate levels in Wexford town possibly because the ban area (defined in 1998) is too small for the town.

The ban could also be extended to the only four towns with populations above 15,000 where the ban is not in place ( Letterkenny, Newbridge, Mullingar and Cavan). The EPA has found higher particulate matter in these towns..

Online advertising and sales makes enforcement of the ban more difficult, according to the document. The enforcement of the ban in smaller urban areas is also more difficult because people can easily travel to buy smoky fuel.

Dublin City Council has reported an increase on the supply of smoky coal for the first time in many years, the document said.

The public consultation is open until May 17th. For more see iti.ms/IaVfqx