NewsWhore
11-16-2007, 02:10 PM
In a televised address to the nation last night, President Leonel Fernandez presented his long-awaited energy saving measures. Fernandez explained that the constant fuel price rises over the last three years are caused by increases in international oil prices. Fernandez said that this situation had arisen due to a lack of vision for the future since the large oil-producing nations failed to build new refineries and increase reserves during the 1990s, when oil prices were low and stable. Fernandez also explained that the instability in Iraq, which holds 10% of the world's oil reserves, the US's ongoing problems with Iran and a devaluation of the US dollar have all played their part in the current energy situation. According to Fernandez, the DR's fuel bill for 2007 will be US$3.2 billion and admitted that the only way the DR has been able to cope with the situation is the lower-priced fuel purchased under the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela.
Fernandez said that the government would buy the remaining shares in the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (REFIDOMSA), making the institution completely government owned. Fernandez said that by buying shares in the Shell Company the country would have access to 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day under the PetroCaribe agreement, compared to the current 35,000.
Fernandez went on to announce that official vehicles would no longer be used on weekends and holidays, except in case of emergencies and with prior permission. Some might remember that this measure was included in Fernandez's Austerity Plan earlier this year, but as many will have noted, wasn't followed.
A program will also be implemented to push for the rational use of energy and the promotion of efficient energy use both in the public and private sector. With this aim in mind, the President announced the creation of an Institutional Committee on the Rational Use of Energy for promoting energy-saving practices, mainly lighting and air conditioning use in public buildings. The private sector, according to Fernandez, will provide free advice on the issue. Also, tax breaks will be given for the purchase of low-energy equipment for domestic and business use.
Other energy saving ideas outlined by Fernandez included the installation of 750 new LED stoplights, stop watches, batteries and cameras in Santiago and Santo Domingo in 2008, in order speed up transit and save an estimated 28,575 barrels of petroleum per year, or 60 million gallons of car fuel. The plan will include a road and street repair plan, to reduce the time a vehicle spends on the streets. A program to restructure urban transport routes will be put in place with the construction of urban bus terminals, which will impede buses from directly entering city centers.
The Office for the Reorganization of Transit (OPRET) will be in charge of setting up the Drivers Training School and there will be an increase in the use of natural gas for public and private transport. Initially, 80 OMSA buses will be converted from diesel fuel to natural gas buses, 2,000 public taxis that use Liquid Gas Propane and 400 Army and Police vehicles will also be changed to run on natural gas. Funds will come from the Transport Development Fund (FONDET) and will require the installation of natural gas pumps by the private sector. The government will provide facilities for gas pump owners to import the necessary equipment.
The propane subsidies will also be restructured. Fernandez said that of the 29 million gallons of GLP that the country uses monthly, only 13.9 million are used at home and the other 15.1 are used in transport. Of the 15 million used by vehicles, 12.6 million is for private vehicles. The government will use the money saved on GLP to subsidize the use of diesel fuel for freight transport and urban transport. This would keep transport costs down.
The President also announced a subsidized bus fare program for UASD students, although the subsidies would only be available to students who maintain a G.P.A above C, and for public taxis around the DR to work on an alternating schedule.
Finally, Fernandez supported the development and use of renewable energy supported by Law 57-07, and said that the Santo Domingo Metro will greatly help in reducing petroleum dependence. Fernandez estimated that 75 million users a year would use the metro, on trains that hold 700 passengers per unit.
For the full text of the speech (in Spanish) go to www.presidencia.gob.do/app/... (http://www.presidencia.gob.do/app/article.aspx?id=8506)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
Fernandez said that the government would buy the remaining shares in the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (REFIDOMSA), making the institution completely government owned. Fernandez said that by buying shares in the Shell Company the country would have access to 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day under the PetroCaribe agreement, compared to the current 35,000.
Fernandez went on to announce that official vehicles would no longer be used on weekends and holidays, except in case of emergencies and with prior permission. Some might remember that this measure was included in Fernandez's Austerity Plan earlier this year, but as many will have noted, wasn't followed.
A program will also be implemented to push for the rational use of energy and the promotion of efficient energy use both in the public and private sector. With this aim in mind, the President announced the creation of an Institutional Committee on the Rational Use of Energy for promoting energy-saving practices, mainly lighting and air conditioning use in public buildings. The private sector, according to Fernandez, will provide free advice on the issue. Also, tax breaks will be given for the purchase of low-energy equipment for domestic and business use.
Other energy saving ideas outlined by Fernandez included the installation of 750 new LED stoplights, stop watches, batteries and cameras in Santiago and Santo Domingo in 2008, in order speed up transit and save an estimated 28,575 barrels of petroleum per year, or 60 million gallons of car fuel. The plan will include a road and street repair plan, to reduce the time a vehicle spends on the streets. A program to restructure urban transport routes will be put in place with the construction of urban bus terminals, which will impede buses from directly entering city centers.
The Office for the Reorganization of Transit (OPRET) will be in charge of setting up the Drivers Training School and there will be an increase in the use of natural gas for public and private transport. Initially, 80 OMSA buses will be converted from diesel fuel to natural gas buses, 2,000 public taxis that use Liquid Gas Propane and 400 Army and Police vehicles will also be changed to run on natural gas. Funds will come from the Transport Development Fund (FONDET) and will require the installation of natural gas pumps by the private sector. The government will provide facilities for gas pump owners to import the necessary equipment.
The propane subsidies will also be restructured. Fernandez said that of the 29 million gallons of GLP that the country uses monthly, only 13.9 million are used at home and the other 15.1 are used in transport. Of the 15 million used by vehicles, 12.6 million is for private vehicles. The government will use the money saved on GLP to subsidize the use of diesel fuel for freight transport and urban transport. This would keep transport costs down.
The President also announced a subsidized bus fare program for UASD students, although the subsidies would only be available to students who maintain a G.P.A above C, and for public taxis around the DR to work on an alternating schedule.
Finally, Fernandez supported the development and use of renewable energy supported by Law 57-07, and said that the Santo Domingo Metro will greatly help in reducing petroleum dependence. Fernandez estimated that 75 million users a year would use the metro, on trains that hold 700 passengers per unit.
For the full text of the speech (in Spanish) go to www.presidencia.gob.do/app/... (http://www.presidencia.gob.do/app/article.aspx?id=8506)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)