WHEREAS, Sections 2(g) and (h) of Re[ublic Act (RA) No. 9136, otherwise known as the "Electric Power Industy Reform Act of 2001" or "EPIRA",  declare as a policy of the State, among others, to assure socially and environmentally compatible energy sources and infrastructure and promote the utilization of indigenous and new and renewable energy resources in power generation in order to reduce dependence on imported energy;