Republic of the Philippines
THIRD YOUTH CONGRESS
BAGUIO City

HOUSE BILL NO. ____

Introduced by: HON. JAN RICHARD A. RENES


EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Republic of the Philippines, which is a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol which calls for the global reduction of greenhouse gases that worsens the problem of Global Warming, should in effect, be able to heed to the global call of this reduction. Greenhouse gases that include Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Sulfur Oxide, Ozone, Mercury, and other such gases, are elements which get stuck to the Earth’s atmosphere and absorbs the heat of the sun, therefore, heating the atmosphere of the Earth which results to unpredictable weather patterns and extreme conditions.

Aside from land vehicles and factories which are already controlled under the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999”, huge amounts of the Greenhouse Gases emitted in the Philippines are products of Power Generating Facilities such as Coal Powered Power Plants. The only specified power generating facilities in the said act, are geothermal power plants which emit Hydrogen Sulfide.

Clearly, Carbon Dioxide emissions, which are one of the biggest threats to our environment, are not being controlled by the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999”. Therefore, there is a huge need to implement such action in order to curb the excessive emission of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere.

It is a recognized fact the Philippines is a developing country that needs more investors in the Power sector, but in this case, we have to consider that our country needs long term investments of companies that are willing to put up power plants in the Philippines. These long term investments do not only help in ensuring the ample supply of energy but also keeps our environment protected for the future generations.

In view of the foregoing reason, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Jan Richard A. Renes

Republic of the Philippines
THIRD YOUTH CONGRESS

BAGUIO City

HOUSE BILL NO. _____

Introduced by: HON. JAN RICHARD A. RENES

AN ACT BANNING THE FURTHER ESTABLISHMENT OF POWER GENERATING FACILITIES WITHOUT PROPER MEASURES TO REDUCE CARBON DIOXIDE AND OTHER DANGEROUS EMMISONS

Be it enacted by the senate and the house of representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1: Short title – This act shall be known as the “Power Facilities without measures to reduce dangerous emissions ban of 2007.”

Section 2: Declaration of Policy – It is hereby declared that the state shall protect its citizens from harmful emissions of power generating facilities that supply power to the nation.

Section 3: Definition of Terms:

(1) Banning – as to completely outlaw.

(2) Further Establishment – as to launch and build a new facility

(3) Power Generating Facilities – Facilities that generate electricity.

(4) Carbon Dioxide Emissions – One of the most important greenhouse gases because of its ability to absorb heat that is radiated from the sun and its ability to stay for a long period of time in the earth’s atmosphere, ergo, contributing to global warming.

(5) Other Dangerous Emissions – Such as Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Sulfur Oxide, Ozone, Mercury, and other such gases to be identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as Greenhouse gases that contribute to the “Global Warming” effect.

Section 4: Coverage – This act shall cover all future power generating facilities that would be built, and not the current ones in operation, furthermore, the power generating facilities currently operating shall no longer be revived and re-used once their lifetime has lapsed.

Section 5: Implementing Rules and Regulations – The enacting body of this law shall be the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in cooperation with the Department of Energy. The two agencies shall, in effect, formulate the necessary guidelines and shall be responsible for the promulgation of the implemented provisions of this act.

Section 6: Prohibited Act – All Power Generating facilities that are yet to be established after the effectivity of this Act shall be banned from being established without measures to reduce or to totally remove Carbon Dioxide and other dangerous emissions as defined.

Section 7: Measures in Reducing Carbon Dioxide and other Dangerous Emissions – These measures include:

(1) Carbon Capture and Storage Technology – Power facilities that would use such a technology, should ensure that storage would be efficient as not to be detrimental to the other aspects of the environment.

(2) Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle – Investors of power facilities to use such system should bear the cost of this technology and should not be passed to the burden of the electricity consuming public.

(3) Renewable Energy – Kinds of renewable energies include geothermal, water, air, and other such elements that could be determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Energy.

(4) And other such Technologies that could be identified by both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Energy.

Section 8: Qualifications of a reduction in Emissions – Specific rates to be applied shall depend on the endorsement of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Energy, but this rate should be at least an 80% drop in current emissions of existing Carbon Dioxide and dangerous gases emitting power generating facilities.

Section 9: Penalties – Any power generating facility found to have violated this act shall suffer the penalty of closure and permanent shut-down of the said facility.

Section 10: Repealing Clause – All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 11: Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 12: Effectivity – This act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.


Approved,