VietNamNet Bridge – Discussing the draft Law on Using Energy Economically and Effectively on May 25, lawmakers especially noted the rampant export of crude minerals.

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A coal mine in Quang Ninh province.

Deputy Nguyen Lan Dung (Dak Lak) warned that Vietnam’s fossil fuel resources are not abundant and they will be exhausted very soon. Though Vietnam has the Law on Minerals, Dung proposed to add this content to the Law on Using Energy Economically and Effectively.

Dung cited statistics to prove that at the current speed of exploitation of fuels, Vietnam will be out of oil in 30 years while the country will have to import 8 million tones of coal annually as of 2012. In the future, Vietnam may be unable to buy coal though it has capital; Dung quoted an official of the coal industry.

Deputy Nguyen Dinh Xuan (Tay Ninh) observed that while coal reserve is not enough for the near future, Vietnam still exports coal.

“Our neighbouring countries don’t lack coal but they buy coal as much as we sell to resell coal to us when we lack coal,” warned Xuan, who asked the National Assembly to tell the government to ban coal export for the country’s benefit.

Deputy Nguyen Tan Tuan (Khanh Hoa) asked the government to submit annual reports on the exploration, exploitation and export of natural resources.

Nguyen Lan Dung mentioned new reserves of oil and gas, for example the coal basis under the Red River. However, this is a great controversy.

Dung also said that the draft Law on Using Energy Economically and Effectively doesn’t make clear the role of thermo and tide-power resources while Vietnam has over 3000km of coast.

Deputy Do Van Luc (Dong Thap) proposed to ban imports of outdated technology and equipment, which consume large volumes of energy and cause pollution.

However, deputy Mai Thi Anh Tuyet (An Giang) said that the present policies don’t encourage companies to change technology towards using energy economically and effectively.

Deputy Nguyen Tan Tuan said that the draft law still lacks suitable sanctions.

Chairman of the NA’s Legal Committee Nguyen Van Thuan (Quang Nam), said other countries deal with energy using by a system of laws, not only one law. If the NA approves this draft law, it has to accept an unspecific law.

Thuy Chung