The Department of Energy (DOE) conducted Thusday last week a public
consultation in Davao City for the proposed new department circular
appropriately titled “Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and
Regulations (RESHERR)” which will hopefully be approved before the end of the
year.
“The new circular, which is yet to be approved by the DOE Secretary, is
part of DOE’s proactive stance in ensuring the safety of the operations of
renewable energy sources,” Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) Director
Mario C. Marasigan said. There is an existing rules and regulation, he added,
but it only covers geothermal energy so the proposed circular will expand on
the sale law and will cover all renewable energy sources including hydro,
geothermal, biomass, wind, solar and soon ocean energy.
Marasigan said this is a reminder to all those involved in the renewable energy industry to be ready for any eventuality or emergency that may challenge their operations in the long term. He said it is practical to update the old rules and regulations since geothermal used to be under a different bureau before, but is now placed under the jurisdiction of the REMB.
The proposed rules and regulations comes as a result of the enactment into law of Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act in 2008. The new circular aims to “ensure the adequate safety and protection against hazards to health, life and property as well as pollution of air, land and water from Renewable Energy operations,” he added.
The final consultation is scheduled in Manila next week, after which a consolidation of all the concerns and consultation results will be made by the Bureau. After which, it will be submitted to the DOE secretary for approval. Once published, the new circular will have the force of law.
