Public reminded about smoky coal ban

WITH the cold weather now here, Clare County Council has issued a reminder to members of the public and solid fuel suppliers that the bituminous or ‘smoky’ coal ban has been extended to Ennis and surrounding areas through new air quality regulations, which came into force on August 1, 2011.
This means residents in the affected areas can now only burn smokeless fuels in their fireplaces and stoves. The purpose of the new regulations is to improve the environment, particularly air quality, and to protect human health from the harmful emissions that result from the burning of bituminous coal high in sulphur.
The legislation prohibits the marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal, not only in the urban areas of Ennis, but also in the suburbs and surrounding areas of the town. The smoky coal ban has been in place since 1998 in a number of townlands in the South-East Clare area bordering Limerick City.
Maps have been prepared showing the full extent of the ban areas and may be viewed at Clare County Council offices at New Road, Ennis or Ennis Town Council’s offices at Waterpark House. The maps are also available to view online on Clare County Council’s website, www.clarecoco.ie.
Commenting on the introduction of the regulations, Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes stated, “I welcome the fact that the smoky coal ban has been extended to Ennis and surrounding areas. The ban will contribute to improving the air quality in Ennis but importantly it will also have a positive impact on the health of the people in the town and surrounding areas.”
The new regulations also impose a maximum limit on the sulphur content of coal that can be used outside of ban areas, as well as a requirement for solid fuel merchants and suppliers to register with the EPA by December 31.
Mayor of Ennis, Michael Guilfoyle also welcomed the new regulations and the introduction of the smoky coal ban in Ennis. He stated, “I ask the people of Ennis to do their part by burning only smokeless fuel, sourced from approved fuel suppliers, in their homes. Similar bans in other cities and towns in Ireland have resulted in increased air quality and improved health in their communities. We want the same benefits for own community here in Ennis.”
The environment section of Clare County Council is responsible for the enforcement of the regulations and will be carrying out further work to raise awareness and enforce the regulations over the winter, including visits to the premises of solid fuel suppliers. Inspections of door-to-door sellers and distributers of solid fuels in residential areas will also be carried out to ensure the regulations are being complied with.
Provision is being made to carry out such inspections in the evenings and at weekends and not only during normal working hours. Fuel suppliers who breach the regulations can be liable to an on-the-spot fine of up to €1,000. For serious breaches, a court conviction can result in a fine of up to €5,000 at the district court or up to €500,000 at the circuit or high court.
Further information is available from the Clare County Council website, www.clarecoco.ie, or by contacting the environment section of the council by telephone on 065 6846331.