NA likely to pass Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill

NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly is likely to pass 'Pakistan Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill, 2011 during its on-going session to establish institutions and stipulate mechanism and procedures for effective conservation and efficient use of energy in all sectors of the national economy.

According to a copy of the Bill available with the Business Recorder, an authority under the name of National Energy Conservation Authority (ENERCON) would be established. The ENERCON will act as focal Federal agency for imitating, catalyzing and coordinating the implementation of energy conservation activities in all sectors of the economy under the auspices of the Pakistan Energy Conservation Council (PECC) head by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The Bill says that the Council will be assisted by Executive Committee headed by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission. The Council or any of its committee may invite any technical expert or representative of any government agency or non-government organization or other person possessing specialized knowledge of any subject for assistance for the performance of its function.

The Council may recommend to the Federal Government or a Provincial Government to establish advisory committees for various sectors for assisting ENERCON in the discharge of its function.

The Council can recommend to the government the adoption of measures directly or indirectly conducive to energy conservation to promote investment by the public and private sectors in energy conservation through partnership. The council may, either itself or upon the request of any provincial agency or any government body to prepare submits promote or implement projects for energy conservation in a specific sector of economy.

About the Executive Committee, the Bill says that the Committee shall exercise powers on behalf of the Council for carrying out day to day policy matters or decisions as may be considered appropriate by the Council. All the decision of the Committee shall be submitted to the Council for ratification.

The Council or a Provincial government with the concurrence of the Council may establish any suitable structure of enforcement of this Act including energy standards, labeling, incentives, fine and other related requirements under this Act with effect from the date to be determined by the Council.