SBMA: NO POLLUTION FROM COAL PLANT

By. Ruben A. Veloria - NEWS TONIGHT

SUBIC BAY Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has warded off fears of the stake holders in Subic Bay area on the negative impact of the proposed 300 megawatt coal power plant on th environment.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said the P19.3-billion coal plant will not destroy the waters and land of the surrounding communities of Subic Bay where tourism is one of the major industries.

“It will not affect the water temperature ambiance of Subic Bay that may result in the death of marine biodiversity,” Arreza said.

Owned by Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., a newly formed joint venture between Aboitiz Power Corp. and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp., the plant will be built in Sitio Naglatore, a coastal village at the tip of Redondo Peninsula. The plant will supply power to the South Korean Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.

Arreza said all environmental concerns were addressed in compliance with the Clean Air Act, including the use of covered coal dome as storage for coal dust. He said the plant’s stack will be higher than what the law prescribed.

“So, I assure you that there will be no dust at all to escape into the atmosphere,” Arreza said.
“We are also inviting oppositionists to the project to attend an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) hearing where they can file their complaints and arguments against the project,” he added.

RPE representatives also have met with the Olongapo City and Subic municipal officials and barangay officials as part of their information dissemination.

Earlier, opposition to the power plant said the plant will emit to the atmosphere toxic chyemical substances, including mercury, that are hazardous, not only to human being, but also to plants and animals, both in sea or land.