House panel OKs P100M fund for BNPP study

MANILA, Philippines – A House panel on Thursday approved a P100-million appropriation for the conduct of validation or feasibility studies on the rehabilitation and utilization of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). During its hearing, the Appropriations Committee chaired by Quirino Rep. Junie Cua adopted a proposed amendment by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to allot P100 million for a study on the mothballed power plant. The study aims to "determine the viability of rehabilitating, commissioning and commercially operating the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) as a nuclear facility taking into consideration technical, safety, economic, financial and ecological concerns and using as references previous feasibility studies conducted before and after the BNPP was mothballed in 1986," the Lagman amendment read. The study must also include the alternative uses of the BNPP for the generation of efficient, ecologically-safe, cost-effective and affordable electricity, as well as determine whether the BNPP should be rehabilitated and utilized. Rehabilitation of the plant is pegged to cost $1 billion. Lagman was one of the three lawmakers who previously sought amendments to the House Bill 4631, principally authored by Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, to give way to state-funded studies before the revival of the plant. The other two were Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III and Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel. Following the appropriation’s approval, Lagman said in a statement that his amendment would render the BNPP "bound to be mothballed in perpetuity." This was echoed by Hontiveros, who said the bill would be killed "in due time." “With the approval of the appropriation amendment, we have practically killed Cojuangco’s revival bill. Whatever the result of the feasibility study is, it will require a new bill,” Hontiveros said in a text message to reporters. “The nuke plant is not yet dead but we have put it once again in the freezer. We will kill it in due time,” she added. In an interview with reporters after the hearing, Cua said the approved appropriation would be referred to the Energy Committee that has already approved the plant’s rehabilitation, commissioning, and commercial operation. "Babalik sa Committee on Energy to inform them na-approve 'yung appropriation na kinakailangan at appropriation language [It will go back to the Energy Committee to inform them that we have already approved the necessary appropriation and appropriation language]," Cua said. The Energy Committee is expected to incorporate the appropriation into the panel’s committee report before it gets transmitted to the plenary, where the bill would be up for sponsorship, debate, and amendments. It is not yet certain what body would conduct the study. Cua said there is no set timeline it, adding that such details would probably be included in the implementing rules and regulations if the bill reviving the BNPP is approved. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV