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Geothermal bill passed
The House of Representatives passed the much anticipated-geothermal bill into law in a plenary meeting on Tuesday
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he House of Representatives passed the much anticipated-geothermal bill into law in a plenary meeting on Tuesday. In the meeting, all factions agreed to endorse the bill to replace Law No.27/2003 on geothermal energy.
'Herewith, we agree to pass the geothermal bill into law,' said House Deputy Speaker Pramono Anang, who led the session. The bill was a government initiative proposed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the House on Aug.13, 2013, Antara reported.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik praised the passing of the law, saying that it would let geothermal-based development projects expand further.
'The potential use of geothermal energy will grow faster and bigger,' he said.
Jero went on to say that the government's target to accelerate the development of a second-phase 10,000 Megawatt (MW) geothermal-based power plant would be reached.
'This Geothermal Law will ensure our energy independency. We are optimistic that the renewable energy will be able to replace fossil-based fuels,' he said.
The ministry's renewable energy and energy conservation director general, Rida Mulyana, said the newly signed law had at least four points that were different to the previous geothermal law. One of the differences was that the government no longer considered geothermal exploration a mining activity, an issue that had long hampered the development of renewable energy potentials.
Most geothermal exploration areas are thought to be located within forestry areas, which are prohibited for any excavation activities. Hampered by obstacles, only 1,300 MW out of total 29,000 MW geothermal energy potential has been tapped.
'By excluding geothermal from the mining category, the exploration of geothermal energy sources within conservation areas could be optimized,' said Rida. (put/ebf)
