Govt to issue 4 regulations on energy efficiency
Mining, plantation firms to be barred from using subsidized fuels
Wednesday, May 30 2012 - 11:28 AM WIB
The government will issue four regulations to reduce the consumption of subsidized petroleum-based fuels as part of the national energy use efficiency program, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik said on Wednesday.
The four regulations include a ministerial decree forbidding cars owned by the central and regional governments, state-owned companies (BUMN) and regional administration-owned firms (BUMD) to use subsidized oil fuels. The decree will take effect on June 1 for the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabe) area.
?Cars owned by the government and state owned firms, either carrying red or black plates, will no longer be allowed to use subsidized fuels. Starting tomorrow (Thursday), we shall hold a campaign to inform the public about this,? he said.
The second regulation, planned to be effective September 1 this year, will bar mining and plantation firms from using subsidized fuel oils, according to Jero.
?I will ask Pertamina to deliver non-subsidized fuels to mining and plantation areas as much as it can,? he said.
The third regulation will be on diversification from oil fuels to natural gas. The government will import 15,000 converter kits allowing cars now using oil fuels to switch to natural gas. The 15.000 kits will be freely distributed to public transportations.
The government will ask automotive industry to provide such converter kits, either locally produced or imported, and gas stations owners to provide gas aside from oil fuels at their stations as part of the efforts to encourage car owners to switch from oil fuels to gas, according to Jero.
The ministry will also issue a decree to push for efficient consumption of water and electricity at government-owned offices and residences.
?Now, official residences of ministers, director generals et cetera have to use electricity and water the efficient way. This is part of the efforts to encourage all of us to use energy more efficiently,? he said.
Besides, the ministry in cooperation with the police and the military will intensify campaigns to crack down on oil fuels smuggling, Jero added.
Editing by Johannes Simbolon