Manitoba bans petroleum coke, coal burning

January 7, 2014, Winnipeg, Man. – Manitoba Conservation and
Water Stewardship has introduced North America’s first petroleum coke and coal
heating ban.

Because coal burning is a significant contributor to climate
change, Manitoba is banning the use of coal for space heating. Other fuel, such
as locally available biomass or other forms of green heat like geothermal
energy, can be substituted for coal to help the environment and the economy.

Petroleum coke is derived from oil refining and, while it
has been used as an alternative to coal, it is also a significant contributor
to climate change. It is being banned as well. Key elements of the ban include:

• as of Jan. 1, coal
  and petroleum coke is prohibited from being used as space-heating fuels
• North America’s
  first coal heating ban is being phased in beginning Jan. 1, with a grace period
  up to July 1, 2017, if an approved conversion plan is filed by June 30, 2014
• anyone who has not
  submitted conversion plans by June 30, 2014, or does not implement their plans
  by June 30, 2017, may face a fine
• conversion plans
  must identify the new energy source, provide details on new equipment or
  modification to existing equipment, set out proposed timelines for conversion
  and provide details on the amount of coal or petroleum coke used in previous
  years.

 To help people move from coal to other heating sources,
Manitoba has introduced the Biomass Energy Support Program. The program
provides financial assistance to coal users and biomass processors as they
transition towards bio-based energy systems and supply chains. Manitoba has
three to five million tonnes of biomass available annually.

Since the emissions tax on coal was announced in 2011 and
the pending ban on coal heating was introduced, many small coal users have
already made the switch to alternatives or have plans to do so. It is expected
that the ban will reduce emissions by 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes, the equivalent
of taking between 10,000 and 20,000 cars off the road.

For more information, the Coal and Petroleum Coke Ban for
Space Heating Regulation can be viewed at
web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/2013/183.pdf.

This initiative is part of Tomorrow Now – Manitoba’s Green
Plan, designed to build a green economy while protecting the environment.  More information on Tomorrow Now is available
at: www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/tomorrownowgreenplan/.