Increasing Utilization of Renewable Energy in Government

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 JUL 17 P3:58 SENATE S. NO. 702 RICEW'DE Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND INSTRUMENTALITIES, INCLUDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS, TO SOURCE A MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF THEIR ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The use of renewable energy is crucial to solving the issues of climate change, energy security, and access to energy and is a key component of the Philippines' low-emission development strategy. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wave, tidal and ocean thermal power do not emit harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Renewable energy sources are domestically sourced and can reduce dependence on foreign sources of energy. By increasing the use of renewable energy sources, the government can enhance energy security and reduce the country's vulnerability to energy price spikes and supply disruptions. The renewable energy industry creates jobs and boosts local economies. By supporting the development of renewable energy sources, the government can help create new jobs and stimulate economic growth. Dahil kinikilala natin ang pangangailangan ng maagap na pagtugon sa climate change at environmental protection. Ating isinusulong ang pagbibigay ng mandato sa ibat ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan na gumamit ng ilang bahagi ng kanilang kuryente mula sa renewable energy. Ito ay isang kinakailangang hakbang sa pagtataguyod ng sustainable development, pagpapababa ng environmental impact, paglikha ng mga oportunidad sa ekonomiya,

pagsisiguro ng energy security, at pagbibigay ng mensahe sa ating mamamayan na ang ating pamahalaan ay sinsero sa layunin nitong Naniniwala tayo na ang patakarang ito ay isang kritikal na hakbang tungo sa pagkamit ng isang maunlad na hinaharap para sa ating bansa. Kung kaya't hinihikayat natin ang ating mga kasama sa iba't ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan na suportahan ang panukalang batas na ito. This measure seeks to mandate government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities, including local government units and government-owned and controlled corporations to source a minimum percentage of their electricity from renewable energy. It aims to reduce the government's carbon footprint and promote cleaner air and water and save money on energy costs in the long run. Through this proposed measure, the government can set an example for other organizations and the general public to follow. This can help raise awareness and promote the transition to a more sustainable and cleaner energy future. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 17 P3:58 SENATE RECEI S. No. Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND INSTRUMENTALITIES, INCLUDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS, TO SOURCE A MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF THEIR ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy, — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

lead the rapid and just transition to a climate-neutral society by increasing the utilization of renewable energy in all government offices, agencies, and instrumentalities. It is the commitment of the State to promote the use of renewable energy in all government offices aimed at reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our efforts towards a sustainable future. Towards this end, all government offices will be mandated to switch to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, wave, tidal and ocean thermal power. This move will not only benefit the environment but also provide cost savings in the long run.

SECTION 2. Scope. - This policy will be enforced across all government departments,

bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities, including local government units and government-owned or -controlled corporations.

SECTION 3. Government Offices. — All government departments, bureaus, offices,

agencies, and instrumentalities, including local government units and government-owned or -

controlled corporations, shall source at least five percent (5%) of their electricity supply from renewable energy resources within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act; Provided, that, the minimum percentage of electricity supplied by renewable energy resources shall be further increased every three (3) years, which increase shall be determined by the Department of Energy (DOE); Provided further, that each increase shall in no case be less than two percent (2%); Provided finally, that renewable energy resources shall refer energy resources that do not have an upper limit on the total quantity to be used. Such resources are renewable on a regular basis, and whose renewal rate is relatively rapid to consider availability over an indefinite period of time. These include, among others, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, ocean energy, and hydropower conforming with internationally accepted norms and standards on dams, and other emerging renewable energy technologies, as defined in Section 4 (uu) of Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the "Renewable Energy Act of 2008".

SECTION 4. Power Supply. — The renewable energy installed in the government

offices shall be the source of the offices' power supply for at least five percent (5%) of its average daily energy consumption.

SECTION 5. Incentives. — To support offices in transitioning to renewable energy

sources, the government shall provide incentives such as but not limited to: a) Tax credits or rebates - The government shall offer tax credits or rebates to offices that invest in renewable energy sources, reducing the overall cost of installation and making it more financially feasible; b) Grants - The government shall provide grants to smaller offices that may not have the resources to invest in renewable energy on their own, to help cover the cost of transitioning to renewable energy sources; c) Low-interest loans — The government shall offer low-interest loans for initial investment in renewable energy systems to offices that want to transition to renewable energy sources; d) Net metering - The government shall implement net metering policies, which allow offices to sell excess renewable energy back to the grid, to provide a financial incentive for offices to invest in renewable energy sources; and

e) Technical assistance - The government shall provide technical assistance in system design, installation, and maintenance to offices that want to transition to renewable energy sources.

SECTION 6. Training and Education. - The government shall organize trainings and

education programs that includes workshops, webinars, forums, symposiums and other activities to ensure that offices have technical knowledge about proper installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems. The government shall also provide education and outreach materials to help offices understand the benefits of renewable energy and how to make the transition.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Energy

(DOE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Governance Commission for GOCCS (CGC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall determine the appropriate and feasible renewable energy source depending on the location of the government office concerned, and they shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act within a year from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 8. Appropriations, - The fund needed for the implementation of this Act

shall be taken from any available appropriations in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the year; Provided, that, funds for this purpose shall also be included in the GAA for the following year and every year thereafter; Provided finally, that there shall be equitable and proportionate appropriations of funds annually for this purpose for all local government units. In addition, adequate portion of financial grants and concessional loans extended to the Philippines by foreign governments and multilateral agencies shall be allocated to augment the annual appropriations.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - In the event that any part, section or provision of

this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the remaining provisions thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect as if the sections or provisions so annulled or voided had never been incorporated herein.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,

rules and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified and/or superseded as case may be by this Act accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. Approved,