1 Dec 2009 16:27

Putin confirms energy saving plan

NOVO-OGARYOVO, Moscow region. Dec 1 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed a resolution that confirms an energy saving plan which was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov on Tuesday.

"Vladimir Putin has confirmed this plan," the prime minister's press secretary Dmitry Peskov told Interfax after Putin's meeting with Ivanov.

Presenting the energy saving policy plan to Putin on Tuesday, Ivanov said that one of the document's sections lay outs measures to provide consumers with domestic electricity meters, which according to the deputy prime minister, should encourage energy saving.

Other parts of the plan deal with steps to increase the energy efficiency of commodities, services and housing construction.

According to the document, each ministry will have to draw up its own energy saving plan in this area.

Ivanov also drew Putin's attention to the fact that the yearly maintenance budget of each ministry will be reduced by 3%.

The energy saving plan was drafted with the help of all ministries, primarily the Energy Ministry and the Industry Ministry, the deputy prime minister said.