"Moving towards sustainable development in the energy field"
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says the Council of Ministers (COM) has approved the national Energy Policy, and has mandated him to sign the original policy.
"This is a very important achievement and was long in the making. The development of the policy involved several stakeholders and government personnel. We can all be proud of what we have been able to accomplish.
"I would like to thank the Minister of Economic Affairs Hon. Ted Richardson and his team within Ministry TEATT (Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications) for making this a reality for the people of the country. This was without a doubt a team effort, and now we can plan ahead and looking into alternative energy and bringing relief to the people and businesses," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Tuesday.
On a global scale the availability of fossil fuels are diminishing. There is a worldwide trend in moving away from the aforementioned and looking and investing into opportunities in alternative sources of energy and renewable energy sources.
Sint Maarten faces the challenge that it is totally dependent on fossil fuels and action needed to be taken in developing a policy with respect to the way forward for the country.
An Energy Committee, represented by the Ministries VROMI, TEATT and NV GEBE worked on the Energy Policy, and have also drafted an Action and Implementation Plan for the country.
The policy contains a list of measures and procedures necessary to mitigate the impact of energy usage on the environment while offering lower tariffs for consumers.
The goals of the of the plan are to contribute towards sustainable development; to reduce the country's dependency on imported fuels by stimulating renewable energy via solar and wind power; enable consumers and independent power producers to feed renewable energy back into the grid; and ensure a sustainable, affordable and environmental friendly energy future for country Sint Maarten.
"Our country's National Energy Policy just comes in time as the world observed 'International Mother Earth Day,' on April 22. The World has been called upon to promote greater efforts towards sustainable development and use of renewable energy sources.
"I am very proud that we have reached this stage. We are moving upward and forward in lowering our country's carbon foot print on mother Earth and will also be bringing relief to all consumers. In my back to basics approach, you have to have a plan of action. You have to do your homework before you move upward and forward. You have to work with a plan and now the country has a National Energy Policy," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Tuesday.
