Energy bill passes first reading at State Duma

Deputies of the State Duma have passed the bill on electrical energy industry on the first reading today. The document was supported by 261 deputies of the lower house of the Russian parliament (226 votes were necessary to be collected for the bill) with 152 against and one abstention.

Speaking to deputies, Andrey Sharonov, deputy head of the Russian Economy Ministry, pointed out that the bill needed amendments. However conceptual provisions of the document that were worked out by the government and stipulated in the government decree No.526 as of July 2002, should not be altered, the Deputy Economy Minister specified.

During the discussion of this bill at the State Duma, representatives of Russian regions submitted 106 reference letters on this bill, including 79 positive and 13 negative. 14 regions submitted their amendments to the document.