Polish lawmakers pass bill to cap coal prices

Polish lawmakers have approved a measure to cap the price of coal sold in the country to protect households from rising energy costs fueled by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, officials have said. 

The lower house of Poland's parliament in session on Thursday, October 20, 2022.

Photo: PAP/Mateusz Marek

Under the plan, households will be able to buy coal from local governments for no more than PLN 2,000 (EUR 420) per tonne, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

Meanwhile, local governments will be able to purchase coal from producers and wholesalers for no more than PLN 1,500 (EUR 312) per tonne, according to officials.

The lower house of parliament on Thursday passed the bill with 303 votes in favour, 14 against, and 118 abstentions, state news agency PAP reported.

❗️#Sejm uchwalił ustawę o zakupie preferencyjnym paliwa stałego przez gospodarstwa domowe.

🔸Gminy będą mogły kupować węgiel od importerów i sprzedawać go mieszkańcom w cenie nie wyższej niż 2 tys. zł za tonę. pic.twitter.com/uITLlrVjZr

— Sejm RP🇵🇱 (@KancelariaSejmu) October 20, 2022

The measure now goes to the Senate, the upper house of Poland's parliament, for further debate.

In August, Poland's government offered a one-off allowance of PLN 3,000 (EUR 620) to all families that use coal to heat their homes.

(gs)

Source: PAP