Energy conservation bill expected to be passed before end of session in June
THE Energy Conservation and Efficiency Bill is expected to be signed into law before the adjournment of the 17th Congress in June, 1-CARE Rep. Carlos Roman L. Uybarreta said.
House Bill No. 8629, passed on third reading on Dec. 3, will lay down the framework for “implementing the 2017-2040 National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Roadmap,” Mr. Uybarreta, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Energy and one of the bill’s sponsors, said in a statement on Monday.
Mr. Uybarreta also said the measure is “essentially similar” to its counterpart, Senate Bill No. 1531, which was approved on third reading in February 2018.
When asked when both Houses will convene to reconcile the measures, Mr. Uybarreta said in a phone message, “We will push for it to be scheduled January.” The 17th Congress officially completes its the third regular session on June 7.
Both measures designate the Department of Energy (DoE) as the implementing agency, tasked to update and develop the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan and Database.
The Department is tasked with strengthening the current Energy Service Company Accreditation System by requiring companies to prove its technical and managerial competence.
“The development of this service sector shall help stimulate economic development through the enhancement of cost competitiveness and promote Philippine energy security,” as stated in Section 11 of the House Bill.
Further, the DoE shall issue the Minimum Energy Performance (MEP) standards, which shall serve as guidelines, subjecting products to an energy performance testing.
The House Bill will also include energy efficient projects in the government’s Strategic Investments Priorities Plan, entitling them to incentives within the first 15 years of enactment of the bill.
This include income tax holidays, a zero percent value-added tax rate on purchases, and tax and duty exemption on imported capital equipment directly used for energy efficiency.
The Senate version, likewise, granted energy efficient projects incentives, as provided under “Executive Order No. 266, or the ‘Omnibus Investment Code of the Philippines’.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan
