Bataan nuke plant revival eyed

THE Department of Science and Technology is eyeing the revival of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and building another similar facility as alternative sources of energy should there be a global fuel shortage.

In a press briefing in Quezon City, Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr., said besides putting the Bataan plant into operation, DOST is looking at building another nuclear power plant in one of several sites under consideration.

The areas eyed are Batangas, Cagayan Valley, Camarines del Norte, and Zamboanga.

Yumul. The DOST, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and Nuclear Poweer Steering Committee which was formed by former President Fidel Ramos in 1995 under EO 243 are interested in the four provinces because of uranium deposits in the areas.

He added that the DOST and PNRI have the budget for a nuclear plant.

However, they face the problem of whether the residents of any of the four prospective provinces would allow the construction of the plant in their midst because of terror and other threats.
By: Joel de la Torre - Journal