merrion street

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, today (Thursday 9th June) announced the introduction of a new, legally binding, low sulphur standard for coal used in the residential market.

Minister Hogan said; ‘All bituminous coal placed on the market for residential use must now have a sulphur content of no more than 0.7%. Approximately half a million tonnes of bituminous coal was imported last year for use by Irish households resulting in the release of over 4 thousand tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. Limiting the sulphur content of bituminous coal will help to protect human health and the environment by reducing air pollution, particularly in the winter months.’

Since 2002, the sulphur content of this coal has been limited under the terms of a Voluntary Agreement between the Minister and the industry representative Solid Fuel Trade Group (the SFTG). The new regulations will put the main provisions of this Agreement on a statutory footing.

Minister Hogan continued: ‘Giving legal effect to the voluntary sulphur standard is an important step which will help improve our air quality. To support this measure on the ground, my Department has worked with key stakeholders, including the SFTG, to develop a system which will enable fuel suppliers to demonstrate compliance with the new requirements. This work is largely complete and will be finalised in advance of the next heating season.’

“Together with the new statutory measures, and planned increases in penalties for breaches of the solid fuel regulations, I have developed a package of measures which will both protect our air quality and give law abiding solid fuel traders the reassurance they need in advance of the application of the carbon tax to this sector. I am grateful to the SFTG for their constructive contribution to this process.”

The Minister also announced that with effect from 01 August 2011 the four towns of Athlone, Carlow, Clonmel and Ennis are to be added to the list of towns and cities covered by the “Smoky Coal Ban”, under which it is illegal to market, sell, or distribute bituminous or “smoky” coal. This ban was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 and has gradually been extended to encompass other cities and towns across the country. It is credited with delivering significant reductions in winter mortality resulting from high levels of air pollution in urban areas.