Structure of the Electricity Sector

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for drafting environmental regulations, enforcing compliance of sector operations with environmental laws and regulations, and advising OPM and Office of the President of the Republic on the public suppliers' environmental audits and management plans.

Information Flow Responsiblities
Environmental Protection Agency

Deliverable	Recipient(s)	Timeline	Information Required*
Guidelines for the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Plans and any modifications thereto	GPL and other suppliers	As needed	Necessary documentation as determined
Environmental and Operation Permit; compliance requirements	GPL and other suppliers	As needed	Environmental Impact Assessments
Written advice on GPL?s environmental audits; Written advice on licence terms and conditions as it relate to environmental matters	OPM	October 2000. As needed	Copy of GPL?s environmental audits Licence applications
Written opinion on environmental policy issues and proposals / initiatives for regulations and standards	Office of the President	As needed	All necessary documentation
Findings on suppliers compliance as part of self regulatory requirements and effectiveness of project designs and mitigation measures	GPL and other suppliers OPM PUC	Quarterly	Self monitoring reports from suppliers and any other information as requested

Institutional Profile
Environmental Protection Agency

Activities	Institutional Linkages	Mechanisms & Procedures
Policy Formulation Identify existing or emerging issues which require a policy response	Office of the President	EPA to advise Office of the President on the development and implementation of environmental policy and provide written reviews / opinions on specific issues.
Drafting Regulations Assist in drafting of new regulations	Office of the President, OPM	Draft regulations relating to the electricity sector to be forwarded to OPM for comments prior to issuance by Office of the President.
Advisory Functions Advise on the environmental audit of GPL?s activities/environmental management plan Advise on licence terms and conditions as it relates to environmental matters	OPM, GEA	OPM to forward environmental audit and reports submitted by GPL in compliance with its OSPT to EPA for review, advice and for monitoring compliance. Prior to granting licences for the supply of electricity, OPM to obtain EPA advice on environmental aspects and/or requirements; copy of advice to be sent to GEA.
Permitting Issue environmental and operation permits	GPL and other suppliers, including IPPs, OPM	EPA to submit to OPM copy of permit(s) granted to suppliers.
Monitoring & Enforcement Implement and enforce regulations and standards Submit findings on suppliers? compliance as part of self regulatory requirements and on environment audits	IAST, GEA OPM, GPL and other suppliers, PUC	Carry out baseline environmental quality monitoring. Respond to complaints. Identify and investigate environmental problems. IAST to assist EPA by providing technical support in the context of sampling and analysis. GEA authorized by law to monitor the importation of fuel; EPA to submit compliance schedule negotiated with operators to GEA. EPA to submit reports on a quarterly basis to OPM and PUC.