Duterte signs Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into a law a measure that seeks to institutionalize energy conservation and efficiency in the country.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act on April 12.

The law seeks to promote the development and use of efficient renewable energy technologies, reinforce related laws on energy conservation and ensure a market-driven approach to energy sufficiency, conservation, sufficiency and sustainability in the country.

An Inter-agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee will be created to evaluate and approve government energy efficiency projects and provide strategic direction in the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program, which aims to reduce government agencies' consumption of electricity and petroleum products.

The inter-agency body will be headed by the energy secretary with the secretaries of budget, finance, trade, transportation, science and technology, interior and the local government, public works and highways and director general of the National Economic and Development Authority.

The measure provides for the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan, Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan as well as incentives for energy efficiency projects.

Establishments that will implement or are carrying out energy efficiency projects will be entitled to recognition and technical assistance from government agencies.

The DOE has six months from the enactment of the law to promulgate its implementing rules and regulations. —NB, GMA News