By Myrna V. Velasco
Without
institutionalized nuclear policy first, Senate Committee on Energy Chairman
Sherwin T. Gatchalian indicated that he is not supportive of the Department of
Energy’s (DOE) move on the immediate repowering of the Bataan Nuclear Power
Plant (BNPP).
His stand leans on
urging the department to instead “commission a comprehensive feasibility study
on the prospects of utilizing nuclear power in the Philippines before pushing
ahead with the construction or refurbishment of any nuclear plants, including
the BNPP.”
Gatchalian averred “we
cannot jump into nuclear energy on a piecemeal basis,” expounding that the
feasibility study will be “critical to objectively assess the merits of adding
nuclear power to our energy mix.”
The lawmaker views
nuclear technology as part of the country’s energy future – but such must only
be advanced with all the imperative policy and regulatory frameworks as well as
the requisite human skills, safety and security of nuclear power operations.
“We need to do our
homework first before pulling the trigger on BNPP or any other nuclear
project,” he said.
Energy Secretary
Alfonso G. Cusi jolted industry sensibilities when he announced to the media
that he already secured the go-signal of President Rodrigo Duterte to finally
bring to commercial operation the long-mothballed Bataan nuclear facility.
The plant’s
refurbishment was anticipated to cost $1.0 billion, although some experts who
already assessed it earlier noted that such scale of investment may not be
enough.
Gatchalian’s take on
the proposed feasibility is to involve independent international experts on
geology, nuclear physics, engineering and other key fields “to independently
assess the prospects of nuclear power in the Philippines.” Such shall also rope
in environmental and community safety as fundamental concerns.
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