< Back

APEC EWG 20

Earthquake Response Cooperation Program for Energy Infrastructure in the APEC Region

Proposed by
Chinese Taipei
October 19, 2000

Background

• APEC Ministers endorsed the APEC Framework for Capacity Building Initiatives on Emergency Preparedness in 1998
  
• At EWG 19, Chinese Taipei proposed the initiative on earthquake response cooperation, which was
  endorsed by EWG 19 and included in APEC Energy Ministers’ declaration
  
• Chinese Taipei has prepared this implementation program for consideration at EWG 20

Chinese Taipei Earthquake on September 21, 1999

• 7.3 in magnitude; over 10,000 aftershocks
  
• Over 2,300 deaths; more than 8,000 injuries
  
• Serious damages included transmission towers, natural gas pipelines, gas stations, and other energy infrastructure
  
• Electricity was fully restored after 19 days; natural gas pipelines after one month
  

Program Overview

• Objective: Establish an earthquake response cooperation system for energy infrastructure in the APEC region
  
• Timeframe: 3 years
  
• Main Items:
  
  • Information sharing among member economies on earthquake response organizations, experts, regulations, safety standards, risk assessment, past experiences, etc.
    
  • Workshop, seminars, contributions from participating member economies
    
  • Deliverables: reports, internet database, cooperative mechanism

Earthquake Response Cooperation Program Phase 1 (First Year) Work Items

• Hold a workshop on earthquake response for energy systems in the Asia-Pacific region
  
• Compile information on earthquake response systems for energy supplies from member economies and translate into English
  
• Establish framework for an information website on earthquake response for energy systems in the Asia-Pacific region
  
• Investigate, define, and plan an earthquake response mechanism for energy supplies in the Asia-Pacific region
  
• Deliverable :
  
  • Report on Planning of Earthquake Response and Resource Systems for Energy Supply in the Asia-Pacific Region

Phase 1 Implementation

• Workshop topics may include:
  
  • Developing an earthquake response system
    
  • Regulations for earthquake resistance
    
  • Rescue experiences for energy supplies after earthquakes
    
  • Monitoring and immediate response systems
    
• Assistance from participating member economies
  
  • Compile and analyze existing earthquake response systems, regulations, past experiences, and translate into English
    
  • Nominate experts for workshop participation
    
  • Designate points of contact in order to together plan a response cooperation mechanism for the APEC region

Earthquake Response Cooperation Program Phase 2 (Second Year) Work Items

• Hold a seminar on earthquake response for energy facilities in the Asia-Pacific region
  
• Compile and analyze earthquake resistance standards and safety regulations for energy facilities of participating member economies
  
• Compile and analyze plans and implementation of emergency supply (electricity, oil, natural gas) after earthquakes from participating economies
  
• Develop a preliminary framework for an earthquake response mechanism
  
• Deliverable :
  
  • Report on Earthquake Resistance Standards and Safety
    Regulations for Energy Facilities and Emergency Energy
    Supply after Earthquakes
    

Earthquake Response Cooperation Program Phase 3 (Third Year) Work Items

• Hold a seminar on Asia-Pacific earthquake response system
  
• Further develop earthquake response information system for energy infrastructure
  
• Compile cases of experiences on long-term restoration of energy systems after earthquakes
  
• Complete the establishment of an earthquake response mechanism for energy supplies in the Asia-Pacific region
  
• Deliverable:
  
  • Report on Earthquake Response System for the Asia- Pacific Region and Experiences of Energy Facility Restoration
    

• Estimated Budget: US$ 250,000 per year
  
• Phase 1 Implementation Member Economy: Chinese Taipei would like to bear the costs and to carry out the tasks of Phase 1 of this Program
  
• Phase 2 and 3 Implementation:
  
  • Responsible member economy may seek funding from other member economies
    
  • EWG may apply for support from the Central Fund