Banning the sale of coal 21 February 2020 at 7:20PM in LPG, heating oil, solid & other fuels 15 replies 1.4K views

greyteam1959

Well I have heard it all now.
Banning the sale of coal.
How about banning the sale of cigarettes ??
That would do more damn good than banning the sale of coal.
The world's gone mad.

Ectophile

Now that cars and trucks are fitted with diesel particulate filters, stoves and open fires are now the UK's largest source of fine particulate pollution (PM2.5).  If we're to get pollution down, the government has to do something.

I'm not surprised they are banning coal.  It's filthy stuff.

boliston

who still needs to burn coal in 2020?

SonOf

I have no problem with the banning of traditional coal or wet wood.    It seems to be a massive overreaction in my opinion and many of those reacting don't even have burners.     Modern coal alternatives and dry wood are so much better.

A._Badger

This is complete madness. Bituminous housecoal has been banned from use in cities and towns ('smoke control areas') since 1955. All the government needs to do is enforce legislation which has been around since then. Outside of towns and cities there is no need to ban it.

What is really going on here is a fine example of the 'boiling frog' or ratchet principle. A measure that affects relatively few is the thin end of the wedge. Only a handful protest when it's first introduced, so the State feels safe driving the wedge in a little harder next time. In this instance it's coal today, smokeless fuel and all wood in a few years time and then the screw will really begin to turn when your gas fired central heating system is banned, you are not allowed to buy a diesel or petrol powered vehicle and you become totally reliant on electricity which cannot be supplied by the National Grid, even if the UK had enough generating capacity - which engineers have demonstrated time and time again it cannot possibly have. We simply cannot build the generating or transmission  capacity in time. It is, quite literally, impossible.

The result will be rationing via 'smart meters' (which is why they were introduced in the first place) the almost complete de-industrialisation of this country, private transport a thing of the past and the end of anything resembling the standard of living we enjoy today. A conspiracy theory? Sadly, no  - this is the future consciously planned by all three major political parties in the UK and It is going to happen unless we voters put a stop to it.  



 
   

Nerdlinger

I live in Scotland, the ban is being considered here also. My home is remote and built around a central fireplace over 2 storeys with a backboiler central heating system. I currently get my coal by the tonne - 40x25kg bags on a pallet - the last lot I got was £260 for house coal doubles. The same supplier has a smokeless coal for £470/tonne which provides up to 20% more heat. The UK government's claim that smokeless coal works out cheaper doesn't stand up at first glance.

Currently I can theoretically buy coal from anywhere in the world which probably keeps the market price competitive but a government controlled smokeless coal standard might lead to a much more restricted market and even worse value for money than I am seeing from my current supplier.

If I was to change heating fuel system I would want to demolish the chimney to avoid being stuck with odours seeping out of it. I'd probably move house instead. Quite a big deal this coal ban. I hope the Scottish government sees more sense.

A._Badger

Nerdlinger said:

I live in Scotland, the ban is being considered here also. My home is remote and built around a central fireplace over 2 storeys with a backboiler central heating system. I currently get my coal by the tonne - 40x25kg bags on a pallet - the last lot I got was £260 for house coal doubles. The same supplier has a smokeless coal for £470/tonne which provides up to 20% more heat. The UK government's claim that smokeless coal works out cheaper doesn't stand up at first glance.

As so often, the government is lying, I use smokeless fuel because my stove won't handle ordinary coal but in the past I have compared the two with open fires and any suggestion that manufactured smokeless is cheaper is sheer nonsense. If you think how it is manufactured , how on earth could it be? .

 

A._Badger

Sorry about the format of the previous post. The 'new and improved' forum doesn't seem to let you trim quoted posts for brevity, so my reply doesn't distinguish between what you said and my comment. 

Nerdlinger

The claim that smokeless is more economical is entirely based on a test of a single mock-up open fire and googling of coal prices:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/867429/burning-wood-consult-bsria-report1.pdf

Hasbeen

Nerdlinger said:

I live in Scotland, the ban is being considered here also. 

I hope the Scottish government sees more sense.

That would be a first then? They want to ban coal, gas. Lpg and oil heating and rely on their windmills.

molerat

Even worse in Scotland the Green tail that is wagging the SNP dog is looking at banning breathing due to the CO2 emissions !

Does this then mean the end to steam fairs and steam railways etc unless they can find a suitable alternative.  I suspect many could turn to the alternative coals but at increased cost.