Group criticizes PNoy on 'dirty' coal-fired power plants

An environmental activist group criticized President Benigno Aquino III for inaugurating a coal-fired power plant anew on Monday, calling this a “clear message" that the Palace “is 100-percent promoting and supporting dirty and pollutive coal power plants." In a statement, the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) was referring to the 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Cebu that was built by the South Korean state-run Korea Power Electric Corp. (Kepco) and its partner Salcon Power Corp. (SPC) under a joint venture. Kalikasan-PNE noted that Cebuanos and environment groups opposed the Kepco-SPC power plant because it “does not only pollute the environment but also poses great risk to the health of Cebu’s population." “PNoy’s support [for] coal plants is detrimental both to the environment and populace. Numerous studies have shown that coal power plants release toxic gases and heavy metals like sulfur dioxide and mercury," Kalikasan-PNE national coordinator Clemente Bautista said. Kepco, on the other hand, trumpeted its gains in the power supply industry, saying it is now the Philippines’ fourth largest supplier of energy following the completion of its 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Cebu. In a statement, Kepco said the Cebu-based power facility, whose construction began three years ago, raised the company’s combined output in the Philippines to 2,050 MW or almost 15 percent of the country’s power consumption. “During its three years of construction, the plant contributed greatly to the Philippines' economy by hiring an average of about 2,000 local workers a day while also helping resolve the problem of power shortages," Kepco said. PNoy lenient with coal-fired power plants Meanwhile, Kalikasan-PNE’s Bautista also criticized the Aquino administration for its supposed leniency with coal-fired power plants’ financial obligations. He noted President Benigno Aquino III’s condonation of billions of pesos in taxes, liabilities, and obligations of foreign and private coal plant operators, citing as an example a portion of the P6-billion debt of the Pagbilao Power Station. “Instead of making polluters pay, the national government pays polluters," Bautista explained. In his keynote speech, Aquino expressed his gratitude to Kepco, which he said “has long been a strong partner of the Philippine government." “This power plant we are inaugurating today will make certain that the energy needs of our citizens in this part of the country are met. In Cebu, for example, where the economy’s continued growth is so evident, this power plant will help keep up with increasing demand," Aquino said. The President added that while the Kepco plant does not use renewable energy, “it complies with the Clean Air Act and is very friendly to the environment, and is thus looking toward the same direction as we are with the [National Renewable Energy Program]." Aquino also responded to criticisms against the coal plant, said a report on “GMA News TV Live."
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV “So would you rather have two to three years more of rotating brownouts during the summer months? I don’t think anybody would have wanted that," the President said. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) told Asian nations last week “to take radical steps" to increase efficiency and invest in renewable energy amid a “looming" crisis. “An important key to lowering energy intensity is the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies and transition to renewable energy. Asia must also take radical steps to increase energy efficiency," ADB president Haruhiko Kuroda said. Used for power generation, coal is a type of fossil fuel. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News