Wednesday, November 24, 2010

‘ADB shouldn’t fund Balili’

First Posted 07:11:00 11/24/2010


IF the Asian Development Bank is sincere with its Energy Policy of 2009, it should withdraw funding for the Balili project. 

This was the message of several environment groups in a letter to the bank.

The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Visayas Climate Action Now Network (VCANN) and Fisherfolk Development Center (Fidec) and other environment stakeholders made the appeal.

Jose Aaron Pedrosa of FDC, together with Vince Cinches of Fidec, lawyers Benjamin Cabrido and Gloria Estenzo-Ramos of Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. and Jomar Colao and Rey Ouano, both of VCANN signed the letter to be sent today to Kurumi Fukaya, ADB President.

They said that the recommendation of the Ombudsman to investigate those involved in the purchase of the lot should be s reason enough for the ADB to stop the funding. 

The group said that since most of the property is underwater, it is not ideal for coal-combustion wastes that contain 17 types of heavy metals including radioactive elements like uranium.

Kepco’s new coal-powered plant will use circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC), which the investors claim to be “clean coal technology.” But environmentalists said this would only contribute more to rapid climate change. 

They proposed a moratorium on the use of coal to generate power until 2030 to let the environment heal. 

Also, Philippines has enough renewable energy resources that can be tapped to supply the country's growing energy needs. 

Department of Energy data shows that in 2009, the country has power capacity of 15,610 megawatts and dependable power capacity of 13,319 megawatts (MW) while the peak power demand is just 9,472 MW. 

The groups suggested that ADB shift its funding to development and establishment of clean and renewable energy.

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