The Legislative Yuan is looking at a Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) proposal to ensure efficient energy usage by local corporations.
If the proposal were written into law, domestic companies and retail and wholesale outlets would face fines of between NT$20,000 (US$590.32) and NT$100,000 for wasteful air conditioning, refrigeration, lighting and other operational power consumption.
Repeat offenders would be penalized with multiple fines, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Hwang Jung-chiou (黃重球) told legislators yesterday.
The Ministry will draft a set of energy development guidelines that will encompass various energy fuel waste standards, corresponding rules of measurement and appropriate law and enforcement rules, Huang said.
Furthermore, the MOEA hopes to apply a conservation policy to electronic products in the future by certifying and adding energy saving labels on electronic appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, that meet government energy consumption requirements, Bureau of Energy Director-General Yeh Huey-ching (葉惠青) said.
Similar to labels used in the US, they will include a number that represents the expected annual energy usage of the appliance.
The number is measured in kilowatts hours per year (kWh/year) and the lower the number, the more energy efficient the appliance.
Even automobiles will have to meet mandated energy consumption requirements before they hit the market, Yeh said.
Once energy standards are set and enforced, the Ministry will have the authority to issue fines.
Because of the different nature of energy users, energy types and conservation capacities, Yeh said the Bureau of Energy would determine appropriate standards and rules and solicit public opinion before enforcing the rules.
Periodic announcements from the Bureau of Energy can be expected as it determines the various energy efficiency standards, Yeh said.
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