Formulate environment-friendly energy policy

Bapa forms a human chain in front of the National Museum in the city yesterday demanding an integrated national energy policy. Photo: STAR

Leaders of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) yesterday called on the government to formulate an environment-friendly energy policy to ensure energy security and protect the country's environment as well.
Demanding an integrated coal policy, they urged the government to make public the recommendations from the experts' meeting on energy issues at Jamuna Resort recently.
They made the call at a rally in front of the National Museum in the city.
Bapa leaders said the government within 10-12 days is going to sign an agreement to lease some sea blocks to the foreign companies to export 80 percent gas as LNG under the PSC model 2008. But, the government should meet the internal demands first and then it can think of exporting energy, they said.
Bapa General Secretary Dr Abdul Matin said the government is thinking of exploring coal, whereas a number of power generating stations were laid off due to coal scarcity.
He also said that the government should make the energy policy public and seek their opinion before taking a decision regarding the energy issue.
Engr Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah, convener of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Port, alleged that governments in the last few decades have taken projects to serve the interest of a vested quarter and the foreign companies.
"The government should immediately stop open pit coal mining, as it has already caused huge damages to the environment and the people in the adjacent areas," he added.
Bapa Joint Secretary Jakir Hossain presented the keynote where he recommended strengthening regional cooperation to overcome power and energy crisis, making it compulsory for every commercial building and multistoried building to have a solar power system to generate electricity from renewal sources and forming a 'high-powered' advisory committee on energy issues.