In this issue

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), a quasi-judicial organization, has been overseeing energy sector issues, including fixing electricity and gas prices for the domestic market. It has introduced the practice of public hearings before adjusting the prices. The voices of stakeholders concerned like political leaders, consumer groups, and civil society organizations are heard in the event that aims at mobilizing public opinion on any proposal for price adjustment. Barring some criticism over the alleged intervention by the bureaucracy, the practice has, however, been more or less appreciated by different quarters, who expected the practice would get matured gradually over the years. The most appreciative factors of the BERC activities included gradual improvement in ensuring accountability of the utilities. Taking all factors into consideration, the BERC kept trying to protect the consumers’ interest to the extent possible. The targets for achieving efficiencies and improvement of customer services were being set. Amid this forward march of the independent commission, the government has amended the BERC act retaking the authority of adjusting the prices of energy products as and when necessary. Experts considered it was a ploy to cripple the regulatory authority during a time of energy crisis and take back bureaucratic supremacy.

It is being apprehended that it will again encourage inefficiency and non-transparency in the utilities' business operations while eroding further the public trust in them.

Energy & Power Magazine Description:

Energy & Power (EP) is the first and only full-fledged fortnightly magazine that deals with the much cried over energy and power sector in Bangladesh. Since its inception in June 16, 2003, EP is working very hard to 
a) Develop public consciousness on sustainable and even development of energy sector; 
b) Assist the policy makers in assuming pragmatic policies for a balanced development of the energy sector; 
c) Continuous supply of information among public; and 
d) Develop a group of reporters in this field 

Bangladesh is an energy deficit country like other countries in the region and most of the people do not have adequate access to the energy and power. The country is completely dependent on fossil energy source; at the same time, it is one of the most inefficient energy using countries in the world. 
It lacks efficiency in planning, management, generation, distribution, load management and even at the end user level consumption. 
In spite of the above drawbacks, issues relating to utilization of renewable energy, exploring alternative use of energy, planned use of environment friendly energy are significantly undermined in Bangladesh. 
The biggest challenge of Bangladesh is to find a path for balanced growth of its energy sector. Despite its resource constraints, EP dynamically strives to provide theenergy sector with a flow of information and create public awareness; so that policymakers get guidelines and platforms for its sustainable development.

Code of Ethics 
EP believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of a journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues and professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. We strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty.

The EP editorial policy is to share a dedication to ethical behavior and uphold the zero conflict of interest principles and highest standards of practice. 

EP believes in 
o Seeking truth and reporting the same 
o Minimize harm