By
Lenie Lectura - July 11, 2017
The Department of
Energy (DOE) is soliciting comments from industry stakeholders on a draft
policy that seeks to implement a resiliency program in the energy sector.
The agency noted that
while there are efforts to address disasters, most resources are directed to
emergency response. Thus, it is necessary that planning and investing are
required to ensure that the country’s energy-infrastructure can continue to
deliver.
“Ensuring resilient
energy infrastructure is now more pronounced and there is a need to
institutionalize the development, promotion and implementation of a resiliency
compliance plan [RCP] to strengthen the capacity, safety culture and disaster
preparedness and response capability of the energy sector,” stated the draft
circular-entitled “Adoption of Resiliency Planning and Program in the Energy
Industry to Mitigate Adverse Effects Brought About by Disaster”.
The draft circular also
stated that all energy industry participants shall submit to the DOE their
respective RCPs within 60 days upon effectivity of the circular.
The RCPs must be
updated every three years. “All energy-industry participants are hereby
enjoined to provide full cooperation, prepare and implement their respective
RCP and to comply such that the objectives set out in this circular are
attained.”
The policy shall apply
to all energy-industry participants in the energy resource, renewable energy,
power, oil and energy utilization.
The RCP must contain
adaptation measures to gauge infrastructure and human resource preparedness
during and in the aftermath of disruptive events.
To monitor the
participants’ compliance, a DOE Task Force on Securing Energy Facilities will
be created.
The DOE shall, within
one year from effectivity of the circular, coordinate with other concerned
agencies and industry participants, for the issuance of appropriate guidelines
for the implementation of the circular.
The agency will accept
comments until September 1.
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