Sejm approves law on coal licenses

Poland’s lower house of parliament has approved an amendment to energy law that introduces licenses for the sale of imported coal in Poland. MPs were almost unanimous, with just one vote against the amendment and one person abstaining. The goal of the regulation is to protect the Polish coal sector from dishonest competition. It is a reaction to protests held earlier this year against the import of coal from Russia while Polish mining firms have high amounts of unsold coal. The Energy Regulatory Office will be responsible for issuing the licenses, which will only be granted to businesses that conform to EU environmental standards.