This article is from page 9 of the 2011-09-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
THE burning of bituminous or socalled smoky coal has been blamed for having an impact on air quality in Ennis in a new report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
According to the EPA report on Air Quality in Ireland 2010, domestic solid fuel use is the other main source of particulate matter in air in Ireland and it particularly impacts air quality in areas where the sale of bituminous coal is permitted.
The report states, “As a result, levels of particulate matter in smaller towns are similar or higher than those in cities or in towns above 15,000 population, where bituminous coal is banned.
“To help with this, from 2011, new regulations will require that all bituminous coal placed on the market in Ireland for residential use has a sulphur content of no more than 0.7 per cent.
“In addition, the sale of bituminous coal has been banned in four additional towns in 2011 – Ennis, Clonmel, Carlow and Athlone.”
However, according to monitoring data on the EPA website, air quality in Ennis is currently considered good.
In June, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, announced that, with effect from August 1, Ennis would 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.
The proposed restricted area of Ennis includes Ennis and environs, comprising the following electoral divisions: Ennis Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Urban; Clareabbey; Doora; Ennis Rural; and Spancilhill.
Under the Air Pollution Act, sellers found in breach of the ban could face fines of up to € 5,000. Amendments are also being made to allow fixed payment notices or ‘on the spot fines’ to be applied in respect of relevant offences.
Micheál Ó Cinnéide, EPA Director said, “The EPA welcomes the change in legislation regarding bituminous coal, which will have a positive effect on air quality.
“However, we must also work to reduce traffic emissions through reducing travel demand, emphasising sustainable transport modes such as cycling, walking and public transport and improving the efficiency of motorised transport.”