Environmentalists decry ‘non-committal’ stand of presidential bets on nukes

Two environment groups on Friday lamented what they said is the mostly non-committal stand of presidential aspirants on whether or not to tap nuclear energy to address the current power shortage in the country. Citing the results of their Green Electoral Initiative (GEI) survey which rated the stand of each presidential candidate on environment issues, the two groups said, “Some of the candidates’ responses regarding the use of nuclear power and the disposal of nuclear wastes were non-committal." The groups EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace, in a statement released on Friday, lauded all of the survey participants for wanting to phase out coal energy—one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Almost all of them are also against the proposed re-commissioning of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). However, the two groups decried “some pro-nuclear candidates" for underestimating what they considered as fundamental problems associated with nuclear power, particularly the environmental risks posed by nuclear waste. In the GEI survey, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas and Senator Jamby Madrigal rated 9.5 and 7.5, respectively, for their “explicit opposition" to the use of nuclear energy. The environmentalist groups quoted Perlas as saying: “I am convinced that the Philippines does not need nuclear power and the massive social and environmental costs that go along with it. We can supply the country’s need for energy using energy efficiency and green energy technologies." For her part, Madrigal proposed the following: “As President, I shall institute a firm government policy against nuclear power. I shall also launch an investigation on the country’s losses due to odious debt and trade, including BNPP transactions marred by corruption and import overpricing and initiate seeking restitution for $1.06 billion debt." Coming in third and fourth in the GEI survey were Senator Benigno Aquino III and evangelist Eddie Villanueva, each with an average of 7 points. Senator Manny Villar placed fifth with 5.4 points, followed by Councilor JC de los Reyes with 5.2 points. Richard Gordon received 4.9 points. Greenpeace and the Ecowaste Coalition did not explain how the ratings were derived, but it said that the full details of the survey will be released on Earth Day, April 22. Two presidential bets, however, had the consolation of knowing the reason why they obtained a grade of 0. “Former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and former President Joseph Estrada both scored 0 points for not submitting any answer to the GEI survey," the group added. In earlier interviews, Teodoro said he was open to discussion about using nuclear power, citing the United Arab Emirates’ decision to build a nuclear power plant with the help of a Korean firm. But Teodoro also expressed concerns about nuclear waste disposal and suitable locations for a power plant, having rejected the idea of rehabilitating the BNPP, which his cousin Rep. Mark Cojuangco continues to propose. In earlier forums, seven presidential bets said they were not in favor of reopening the BNPP. These include Aquino, Teodoro, Gordon, Madrigal, Villanueva, De los Reyes, and Perlas. (See: 7 presidential aspirants oppose BNPP revival) Greenpeace and the Ecowaste Coalition particularly focused on Senator Richard Gordon’s unabashed support for possible nuclear power generation. They quoted Gordon as saying: “I think it is unconscionable that we have spent billions of the people's money on something we cannot use because of our fears…We have to look at other countries who use nuclear power, send our scholars to study how going nuclear has worked in other countries, and ultimately apply these methods that have already worked back home." They also noted that Gordon did not mention solutions to problems on nuclear waste disposal. “Instead of remaining fixated on dirty, dangerous and expensive energy options, our leaders should look at harnessing the vast renewable energy potential available in the country," said Von Hernandez, Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia. Hernandez pointed out that renewable energy technologies are “already available, economically viable, and will help ensure a safe and sustainable energy future for the country." On the other hand, the country's largest business group—the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry through its energy chairman Benedicto Yujuico —earlier urged the government to consider tapping nuclear power as a long-term option for the country. Yujuico had explained that nuclear power plants are now “a matured and proven technology that provide electricity at predictable and competitive costs." (See: PCCI pushes nuclear power development) —JV, GMANews.TV