SP hit for hasty approval
NUCLEAR PLANT RESOLUTION
IS Pangasinan ready for a nuclear power plant? It seems not.
Many Pangasinenses expressed shock last week on learning that a nuclear power plant may soon be constructed in the province, courtesy of the provincial board.
The provincial board approved on February 15 a resolution welcoming the relocation to the province of two nuclear power plants from South Korea to supposedly help avert an expected serious power crisis in the country.
Former Vice Governor Oscar Lambino voiced serious concern over the resolution and chided the provincial board for hastily passing a resolution expressing the readiness of the province to host two nuclear power plants from Korea.
Lambino said the board passed the measure without conducting any consultation with the people of Pangasinan or holding a public hearing.
”Why the haste when it is the health and welfare of the entire Filipino race that is at stake,” Lambino asked.
Nicanor Melecio, a former consultant on environment of the Lim administration in Dagupan City, said while he is not against nuclear energy as a power source, he thinks the resolution was passed without due study.
Melecio said passing a law or an ordinance without the benefit of even just a study tour makes the action doubtful.
“I’m not saying the resolution is wrong but it would have been better if they granted themselves a study time, go to the area where it will come from,” he said.
He pointed out that nuclear power plants (NPPs) use the most toxic and most dangerous elements on earth and if these explode, “hindi mo maggamit ang Pangasinan., even Lingayen Gulf in the next 25,000 years, all of the fishes will die”.
Melecio added “these are not fears but are possibilities that we may be able to answer scientifically…The issue is can we prevent that?”
Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who has previously opposed the reopening of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, slammed outright the proposal.
Cruz cited several considerations for his opposition: “First, will they please say where will they throw their radioactive wastes; second, how far can they guarantee the safety of these nuclear plants and third, how much will those in power benefit from it in terms of commission and other monetary considerations?” he said.
“If such NPPs are so safe to operate and so great to have, then they should build them at the Malacañang Palace where there is the Pasig River and they can also have the water they need to cool the system,” he added.
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Lambino also pointed out that the resolution is inviting the entry of facilities that are old and that poses even more dangers and therefore requires even more considerations.
He suggested tapping other alternative sources of energy for the country, particularly the green energy, which includes wind and solar power.
Meanwhile, Melecio said the province should be looking into the right “energy mix” instead of simply jumping into nuclear power.
“No problem if you think of NPP. We should already be modernized. The idea is to make sure that we are clear about our energy mix, how many kilowatts would be produced by the NPP, how many would be produced by solar, wind power, among others”.
Melecio said there are still two untapped river systems on the western side, the Pilar River in Mangatarem and the Bayaoas River in Aguilar, both of which can be a source of energy by building 15-meter high dam that can each generate about 50 megawatts of electricity.
The Pantal-Sinocalan and the Cayanga-Patalan side are also potential sources for another 50 MW each of electricity.
“Water is benign without the fears connected to the nuclear power. Let’s exploit these,” he said.
RESOLUTION VOTES
The board resolution opens the province’s door for the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) NPP of South Korea to explore the possibility of setting up NPPs along the coastal area of Pangasinan.
The provincial board voted seven to one, with two abstentions.
The lone opposition was registered by Board Member Raul Sison who said the measure was approved without going through the process of public hearing nor consultation with the people of Pangasinan.
Those who approved the resolution were Board Members Alfonso Bince Jr., Tyrone Agabas, Danilo Uy, Charissma Carancho-Go, Angel Baniqued, Romeo Dadacay, Jeremy Rosario. Danilo Dizon and Amadeo Espino. Board Members Von Mark Mendoza and Alice Pulido abstained while Board Members Nestor Reyes and Liberato Villegas were absent.
COJUANGCO
The measure was passed following a letter of request from 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco whose proposed bill seeking the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant did not pass on third reading in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Cojuangco, speaking during a press conference on February 15, reiterated his stance that the establishment of nuclear plants is the only way the country could achieve and economic advance as it guarantees cheaper electricity to households and factories.
He estimated each household in Pangasinan to save from P2.50 pesos to P3 per kilowatt-hour through nuclear energy.
Cojuangco said the country’s Luzon Grid by year 2012 will have a shortfall of 3,000 megawatts and more in the succeeding years.
He said in filling this shortfall, the country needs not only the BNPP but also four other nuclear power plants.
The two nuclear power plants of Keido Assets that the province wants to invite to relocate to Pangasinan can generate 1,000 megawatts each.
Cojuangco said the country can advance dramatically if it can resort to nuclear power, similar to more advanced countries, like China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.–LM#
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