'Smokey Coal' Ban

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• 'Smokey Coal' Ban

There is a ban on the selling and burning of ‘smokey coal’ in certain parts of the country, specifically large towns and cities. The ‘smokey coal ban’ regulations were amended in 2012. The area covered by the ban was extended and now includes parts of the county close to Galway City.

The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smokey coal ban’) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smokey coal for residential heating. Research indicated that the ban in Dublin resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. An estimate of these benefits in monetary terms put the value at over 20 million euro. Additional benefits of the regulations have also been identified through the stimulation for householders to switch from using solid fuels, which generally are less efficient and more polluting, to more efficient and less polluting gas and oil. The associated reduced fuel costs to consumers were estimated at 184 million euro per year. 

A ban on the burning of smokey coal and other prohibited fuels now applies in all smoky coal ban specified areas to complement the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution. There is a range of innovative smokeless solid fuel products, including smokeless coal products, available on the market. Smokeless solid fuel is cleaner as well as more carbon and heat-efficient so can deliver climate benefits as well as improved air quality and human health benefits. Under the Regulations all smokeless solid fuel products must be clearly labeled as “SMOKELESS FUEL”. This allows householders to make an informed choice concerning the products they purchase.

Complaints regarding the marketing, sale, and distribution of prohibited fuels or smoky emissions from the use of prohibited fuels in smoky coal ban specified areas should be reported to the Environment Section at (091) 509510 or environment@galwaycoco.ie.

A map of the areas covered is available at the link below:

Map - 'Smokey coal' ban