The approval of Bill 4.476 / 2020, which institutes the New Gas Law, by the Chamber of Deputies, in the early hours of Wednesday (3/17), was celebrated by the Federal Government and the gas market. The bill was approved in full, according to the original text presented to the deputies. A demonstration of the law's relevance for the country, whose trajectory involved industry agents, industry experts, academia, civil society, among other segments that make up the Brazilian natural gas sector. The design of the new natural gas market, ratified by law, contains the best international practices.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque (photo), celebrated the victory and recalled the importance of this great step for the entire gas chain and, mainly, for the consumer, who will be the biggest beneficiary. "The approval of the New Gas Law is a victory for Brazilian society," said the minister. He emphasized that the law will favor the formation of an open, dynamic and competitive natural gas market. The new law will promote competition between suppliers and the consequent reduction in the final price of gas for the consumer.

Another point highlighted by Bento Albuquerque is the expected investments of billions of reais, in addition to the thousands of new job posts that could be generated in the next ten years. "We need to resume our economy during this pandemic period. Investments and job creation are essential instruments for the resumption. And this is the scenario that the New Gas Law will bring to the country, expanding horizons, bringing hope and good prospects for the gas and gas market. for the Brazilian people ", emphasized the minister.

The new measures to be implemented from the new law are mainly focused on competition. From there, the competitiveness of the national industry in its various segments will resume, such as cellulose, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel, glass and ceramics. The positive impact will also have an impact on agribusiness, generating more jobs and income.

The New Gas Law will also contribute to increase competition from thermoelectric generation and to make better use of gas from the Pre-Salt and other sedimentary basins. In addition, efforts are made to harmonize state and federal regulations, integrate the natural gas sector with the electric and industrial sectors, and remove tax barriers.

"It is important to highlight the positive effects of the opening of the gas market, with the entry of new agents in the sector. They will be new producers, traders, importers, in short, a market with a greater plurality of agents, greater competition and lower prices for the final consumer. The approval of the new law is an important milestone in the sector's history and will certainly contribute to the country's economic recovery ", declared MME's Secretary of Oil, Gas and Biofuels, José Mauro Coelho.