Oil firms urged to back biofuels measure
The Philippine Star 07/25/2006
The Department of Energy (DOE) is urging all oil industry players to stop making unnecessary objections to the Biofuels Bill.
"I urge the stakeholders in the downstream oil industry to come up with positive actions by supporting the Biofuels Bill for the sake of the consuming public especially now that prices of oil in the international market are becoming extremely expensive," Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.
"Instead of opposing what is good for the economy, we urge our stakeholders to rally behind us in advocating the passage of the Biofuels Bill to realize our goal of becoming energy self sufficient, Lotilla said.
He said the government, for its part, has already played its role in coming up with possible measures to help mitigate the impact of rising oil prices.
"DOE has laid down the foundation for the roll out of government’s alternative fuels program, which has accelerated the use of biofuels, in particular, bioethanol and home-grown coco-biodiesel," he said.
Aside from the passge of the Biofuels Bill, the DOE is also pushing for the Renewable Energy Bill. These two crucial pieces of legislations would help realize energy self-sufficiency, Lotilla said.
"With the volatility of prices of imported petroleum products brought about by the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, both the Biofuels Bill and RE Bill will help us further lessen our dependence on imported oil as well as help address air quality management and respond to climate change," the energy official said.
Lotilla said the country’s lawmakers have committed to prioritize these bills. "Congress is committed to enact these two pieces of legislations as both are critical to help minimize our economy’s exposure to price instability of imported fuels and I am confident approval will be expedited upon resumption of Congress." Lotilla said.
While imported energy accounted for 42.9 percent of total energy use in 2005, it is expected to decrease to 38.5 percent in 2014 based on the Philippine Energy Plan. The RE Bill is expected to allow the country to meet its growth in energy demand from renewable energy sources as well as increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s primary energy mix from 41.7 percent in 2005 to 42.4 percent in 2010.
"As of last year, we successfully utilized locally sourced fuel to power 64 percent of our electricity needs by maximizing the use of indigenous and renewable energy capacity," Lotilla said.
A number of achievements have likewise boosted the development of renewable energy. For instance, the country’s action plan in the development of renewable energy was cited as one of the best three action plans worldwide in the 2004 International Conference for Renewable Energies in Bonn, Germany. The Philippines was joined by China and Egypt.
"Apart from the fact that both the Biofuels Bill and the RE Bill can help minimize our economy’s exposure to price fluctuations of imported fuels, we are also one with all the environmental groups in advocating policies that would protect our environment", Lotilla said.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is urging all oil industry players to stop making unnecessary objections to the Biofuels Bill.
"I urge the stakeholders in the downstream oil industry to come up with positive actions by supporting the Biofuels Bill for the sake of the consuming public especially now that prices of oil in the international market are becoming extremely expensive," Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.
"Instead of opposing what is good for the economy, we urge our stakeholders to rally behind us in advocating the passage of the Biofuels Bill to realize our goal of becoming energy self sufficient, Lotilla said.
He said the government, for its part, has already played its role in coming up with possible measures to help mitigate the impact of rising oil prices.
"DOE has laid down the foundation for the roll out of government’s alternative fuels program, which has accelerated the use of biofuels, in particular, bioethanol and home-grown coco-biodiesel," he said.
Aside from the passge of the Biofuels Bill, the DOE is also pushing for the Renewable Energy Bill. These two crucial pieces of legislations would help realize energy self-sufficiency, Lotilla said.
"With the volatility of prices of imported petroleum products brought about by the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, both the Biofuels Bill and RE Bill will help us further lessen our dependence on imported oil as well as help address air quality management and respond to climate change," the energy official said.
Lotilla said the country’s lawmakers have committed to prioritize these bills. "Congress is committed to enact these two pieces of legislations as both are critical to help minimize our economy’s exposure to price instability of imported fuels and I am confident approval will be expedited upon resumption of Congress." Lotilla said.
While imported energy accounted for 42.9 percent of total energy use in 2005, it is expected to decrease to 38.5 percent in 2014 based on the Philippine Energy Plan. The RE Bill is expected to allow the country to meet its growth in energy demand from renewable energy sources as well as increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s primary energy mix from 41.7 percent in 2005 to 42.4 percent in 2010.
"As of last year, we successfully utilized locally sourced fuel to power 64 percent of our electricity needs by maximizing the use of indigenous and renewable energy capacity," Lotilla said.
A number of achievements have likewise boosted the development of renewable energy. For instance, the country’s action plan in the development of renewable energy was cited as one of the best three action plans worldwide in the 2004 International Conference for Renewable Energies in Bonn, Germany. The Philippines was joined by China and Egypt.
"Apart from the fact that both the Biofuels Bill and the RE Bill can help minimize our economy’s exposure to price fluctuations of imported fuels, we are also one with all the environmental groups in advocating policies that would protect our environment", Lotilla said.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home