Manitoba to Ban Coal, Petroleum Coke in 2014 to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Canadian province of Manitoba will ban in 2014 the use of coal and petroleum coke for heating to cut its greenhouse gas emissions. It will also collect an emissions tax on industrial users of the two commodities other than heating.

Manitoba, which announced in 2011 the plan to phase out coal usage, had failed to meet emissions reduction targets of the Kyoto protocol and included in the provincial law.

To further reduce the province's GHG, Manitoba plans to require compulsory reporting for all companies with emissions more than 10,000 tonnes, said Manitoba Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh.

The province is also coming up with new fuel-efficiency requirements for province-owned vehicles and energy-efficiency regulations for new or renovated government edifices.

The move would make Manitoba the first Canadian jurisdiction to ban coal and petroleum coke.