The draft of the country's first energy law will highlight
"unified administration" of the sector, but stop short of spelling
out the establishment of an energy ministry, a key drafter said on
Friday.
"Government agencies related to the energy sector will have
their functions streamlined to ensure unified energy
administration. That is one of the key messages of the draft," Ye
Rongsi, deputy chief of the drafting team, told China
Daily.
But it is up to the country's highest authorities to decide
whether a ministry will be set up, he pointed out.
Many government departments are engaged in the energy sector,
including the energy bureau of the National Development and Reform
Commission, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the State
Administration of Coal Mine Safety, the Ministry of Water
Resources, and the Ministry of Land and Resources.
The Shanghai-based Oriental Morning News recently quoted a
source as saying that an "energy ministry" could be established as
early as March.
The energy law is expected to be submitted for review to the
State Council early next year, said Ye, who is also president of
the China Law Society's Energy Law Academy.
He said the draft deals with major issues such as conservation,
energy safety, market-oriented allocation, scientific and
technological innovation, service and international
cooperation.
Last month, the draft was distributed to government departments
and organizations to seek opinions, and it will soon be make public
to solicit comments, according to Ye.
(China Daily November 17, 2007)