Smoky fuel distributors to be hauled over the coals
Date Published: 10-Nov-2011
BY FRANK FARRAGHER
ROGUE fuel distributors have been warned that they face fines of up to €1,000 if they sell bituminous coal within the city area.
Over recent weeks, the City Council have received reports of ‘fly-by-night’ operators selling the ‘smoking coal’ in the city – the sale and distribution of this product has been banned since 2000.
According to Galway City Council, established fuel distributors in the city are aware of the regulations banning the sale of the bituminous coal in the urban area.
However, the Galway City Tribune has learned that while the sale and distribution of bituminous coal is illegal in the city, the actual burning of this product by householders is not.
A spokesman for the City Council confirmed that the ban in relation to bituminous coal applied to the sale and distribution of the product, rather than the use of it by consumers.
“The reason that this ban on bituminous coal was introduced, was on health grounds. In certain weather conditions, the smoke from bituminous coal can lead to smog and aggravate medical conditions such as asthma, bronchitis or cystic fibrosis,” said the spokesman for the City Council.
He warned that any sale or distribution of bituminous coal within the city area was illegal and would be pursued.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.