AP bags Best State award in Oil and Gas Conservation

Hyderabad, Jan 12 (INN): Andhra Pradesh has added another feather in its cap. The state has won the prestigious award for its outstanding performance during the Oil & Gas Conservation Fortnight (OGCF). The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt of India, has selected the State for the Award of 'Best Performing state amongst the Big states' for the Oil & Gas Conservation programmes.

PCRA of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt of India has been organizing the Oil & Gas Conservation Fortnight between 16th to 31st January every year. The Award is given for the exceptional support and cooperation extended by the Govt. for various conservation activities organized by the State Level Coordinator during OGCF 2013. The Award will be presented by Dr M. Veerappa Moily, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, during the inaugural function of OGCF 2014 to be held in New Delhi on 16th January 2014.

It is pertinent to note that Oil & Natural Gas Corporation plans to invest over $ 9 Billion in a wide array of oil & gas discoveries in the block allotted to it in Krishna ' Godavari Basin, which will enhance the scope of the State to get additional gas allocations to cater to the needs of the Gas based Power Plants, with an overall capacity of more than 2000 MW that are lying idle for want of gas allocations.

Disclosing the above details Dr. P.K. Mohanty, Chief Secretary & Chairperson/State Energy Conservation Mission in a meeting with Sunil Sharma, Commissioner, Civil Supplies and other senior officials, stated that Water, Energy & Environment are the three key factors which are essential for human survival. It is the primary social responsibility of every individual to protect precious Natural Resources like Coal, Oil, Gas & water for the sake of the future generations.

Inspired by the recent prestigious awards won by the state, the Govt aims at becoming a Role Model to other states in adopting measures for Conservation & Efficient use of these resources and protect Environment.

In addition, adoption of a series of Oil conservation measures will help the country save billions of Dollars since India imports more than 80 % of its crude. This would also help in reduction of Carbon footprint in view of the Oil conservation initiatives being taken up by Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. Mohanty emphasized that activities related to the Conservation of Natural Resources & Energy shall go together, along with the Energy Efficiency activities for progressive economic growth of the state. For example, a century ago, a typical motor car consumed one litre of petrol to travel 6 KM, but now a typical family car consumes just 0.25 to 0.40 liters of petrol to travel same distance.

While referring to the activities in the Developed Countries, he said that even USA, through its 'Energy Independence and Security Act', set a goal for the national fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2020, to save the United States billions of gallons of fuel, and continuous R&D activities in Fuel Economy & Energy Efficiency will lighten the burden of imports on the country enormously and ultimately pave the way for protection of environment.

On this occasion, the CS thanked the AP Print & Electronic media for extending continuous support to the Pro-public initiatives like Energy Conservation activities and praised the Media in spreading the holy message of Energy Conservation & Environment Protection to each & every house hold in the state.

Dr has conveyed his heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Pongal and appealed to all the electricity consumers to save energy for reduction of electricity bills as well as protecting the natural resources for the benefit of future generations.