Olongapo City . . . SubicBay . . . Zambales News

No to Coal Plant in Subic Bay

2011-08-21T10:57:00.001+08:00

Romi Lentos
at marami silang perang nakalaan para sa envelopmental journalists na naglipana... take this as an example.... AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/311949/aes-elevates-masinloc-power-plant-operations-worldclass-standards
AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards | The Manila Bulletin Newspape
www.mb.com.ph
Manila Bulletin Online aims to deliver breaking news from the Philippines and across the globe with the top information on the latest stories in business, current Philippine events, entertainment, environment, sports and news breaking headlines. Follow us as we bring to you the latest news via spec...
5 minutes ago · · ·
Romi Lentos
Masinloc coal power plant doubles output
AES Philippines, a unit of AES Corp. of the US, has increased the electricity output of the 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Masinloc, Zambales by over 100 percent
AES officials earlier announced plans to expand the capacity of the Zambales plant by an additional 600 MW with investments of $1 billion.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideBusiness.htm?f=2010%2Fjuly%2F3%2Fbusiness3.isx&d=2010%2Fjuly%2F3
Manila Standard Today -- Masinloc coal power plant doubles output -- 2010/july/3
www.manilastandardtoday.com
AES Philippines, a unit of AES Corp. of the US, has increased the electricity output of the 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Masinloc, Zambales by over 100 percent in the first quarter of the year.
14 minutes ago · · ·
Romi Lentos Lets no stop at opposing their planned expansion... we should work on ending the existing coal plant operation in our province
12 minutes ago ·
Romi Lentos if we can not stop their operation, then its a precedence that subic coal plant will stand on... they already have ECC, their investments are in place and they have started the construction
8 minutes ago ·
Mahatma Randy Veloria Datu
GAPO, SBMA BUSINESSMEN, HATI SA COAL PLANT PROJECT
angbarako.com
46 minutes ago · · ·
Mahatma Randy Veloria Datu likes this.
Thelma Dela Paz
Nasaang side ba talaga si Governor Ebdane? Mukhang malabo. Ang pinapalabas nya daw dyan ay "Eco-Friendly" daw ang coal plant, yon ang kaalaman ng karamihan daw na nariyan sa Zambales. Yon daw ang position ni Governor Ebdane. Looks like the common tao is being fed wrong information. Kaya ba walang nangyayari sa protesta ninyo, dahil kasinungalingan? Governor Ebdane, please correct this misinformation, if it is!
11 hours ago · · ·
7 people like this.
Ardeliza Lim Go Thema! nakakalimutan ba nila (provincial n local gov) na ang mga educated na ngayon ang nagproprotesta lalo mga alumni ng St. James high school ng Subic...sana kahit yan lang di na matuloy kasi just like philseco and hanjin ay may mga solid waste yan at sa beach ang tuloy samahan pa ng Morocco na problema tuwing tagulan at dadagdagan pa ba ng coal plant na both water and air ay maapektuhan.......
11 hours ago · · 2 people
Butch Lab We need to know the position of these politicians in regards to this "Coal" issues. we need a list.
11 hours ago · · 2 people
Nestor Sia Miss T.,sana nga Gov Ebdane is on our side and I know he will not pick the wrong side..
11 hours ago · · 2 people
Romi Lentos we will know on which side the good governor is when he starts questioning the existence of a super dirty coal plant in his province. as long as he and the provincial board never lifts a finger to stop its operation.... duda tayo sa sincerity nila sa labang no to coal in subic... dahil nga pinapayagan nila ang operation ng isang napakaruming planta sa teritoryo nila.
7 hours ago ·
Neng F. Guerzon hindi ako pro ebdane kaya lang minsan ang mundo ng pulitika ay magulo...di mo alam talaga kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo...baka naman there's someone who's feeding wrong info na naghahangad sa pwesto nya....kasi minsan ang mga issue na ganito ay ginagamit ng mga tao who wants to boost their political carreer......pero pag andon na sila sa pwesto nakakalimutan na iyon.
2 hours ago · · 1 person
Buraot Delgado At kailan pa naging eco-friendly ang isang coal plant?

AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards

2011-08-21T10:55:00.000+08:00

AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards

March 29, 2011, 8:51pm

The 600-MW Masinloc coal-fired power plant in Zambales.

MANILA, Philippines – Nearly three years after acquiring the 600-megawatt Masinloc coal-fired power plant in Zambales, global energy firm AES Corporation has made significant strides in elevating the facility toward world-class standards. With its record of expertise in energy generation and distribution – as evident in its global operation in 29 countries across 5 continents, supported by a 27,000-strong workforce – AES, a public company in the US, invested billions of pesos in the Masinloc plant to ensure that its operations are at par with the various facilities it owns worldwide.

In April 2008, AES seized the opportunity to grow into a new market when it entered the Philippines with the acquisition of the 600-MW Masinloc Plant. They saw a break to turn around a facility that would enable them to widen their presence in Asia while at the same time help support the developing private power sector by improving the reliability, environmental and safety performance of the Masinloc Power Facility.

Extensive internal programs were put in place to create a strong culture of excellence and empowerment among its people. The major plant rehabilitation was completed at the end of 2010. In 2010, the AES Masinloc Plant safely operated at an output 31% higher than its historic average while supporting the local community in its development efforts.

Armed with their corporate belief of putting safety first, acting with integrity and honoring commitments, among others, AES believes in doing the right thing. A belief shared among its people in all the areas of the world where they operate.

The big transformation

While operational concerns challenged the efficiency of the plant, the AES Masinloc Team saw them as an opportunity to take part in the Philippine energy industry. Masinloc adequately fitted into AES’ skill set of being able to turn around businesses and create worldclass operating facilities.

"When we took over the facility, we implemented a rehabilitation program that ensured that the plant’s performance is at par with AES’ global standards. We’re very grateful for the unwavering commitment and diligence of the whole AES Masinloc Team, because without them, our turnaround wouldn’t have been a success," Country Manager Andy Horrocks said.

Through their dedication and hard work in implementing and perfecting the safety and operating practices, the AES Masinloc team eventually found itself rising to excellence across all key performance indicators.

The plant's maximum output increased from 433MW to 630MW and the minimum load was reduced from 150MW per unit to 75MW, producing operating efficiency improvements of 13%. From an average of six to eight days, the plant’s rate at unloading coal sped up to only less than three days, while also implementing environmental improvements in coal spillage.

The challenge to improve the facility’s condition was not only limited to the power plant and its mechanical operations. With the successful rehabilitation, the AES team further brought down CO2 emissions of the facility by reducing diesel usage for startups by 70%. Ash storage systems and coal handling facilities were also rehabilitated assuring the community that coal and ash do not enter into their Bay ecosystem.

These, among others, are some of the developments and rehabilitation implemented by the AES Team in the Masinloc facility. With the improved environmental management systems in place, particularly the installation of the new Electro-static Precipitator, AES now delivers full output and has met World Bank standards for emissions since January 2010.

Instilling corporate values

The company greatly attributes the plant’s big change to its employees, who came up with superb results as they upheld the beliefs that enable their vision to become reality.

"At AES, we believe in delivering value to all our stakeholders, armed with and motivated by the company philosophies — putting safety first, acting with integrity, honoring commitments, striving for excellence, improving on performance, and having fun while working. We confidently believe that this was paramount in the dramatic turnaround," Horrocks added.

Believing that a company is only as good as the people in it, AES concentrated in training its personnel by instilling core principles such as safety first, integrity and excellence.

"We implemented our strategy and rehabilitated the plant while implementing WorldClass Safety standards, which was shared with all our employees and contractors. In parallel, we worked on improving the technical skills of both our operators and maintenance teams," Horrocks said.

As a result of the company's multi-faceted business approach, the reliability of the Masinloc plant improved greatly and the plant now meets all standards on safety, staff performance, operations, and environment.

Having an optimistic outlook of the country's economic prospects, AES announced plans to expand the plant's facility by another 600 MW.

"Our initial investment plan included the possibility of expanding the Masinloc site. We are keen on growing in the Philippine market and do our part in supporting the economic growth of the country," Horrocks said.

AES Foundation in the offing

With the progress of the Masinloc plant successfully on hand, AES also concentrated its efforts toward its social responsibilities to its communities as a gesture of partnering with them for development.

On top of the community development programs it has implemented, the company is in the process of putting up a Foundation that will institutionalize and integrate all its CSR efforts.

"Through our CSR arm, we will be able to reach out to the communities in an even more strategic, relevant and sustainable manner," Horrocks said.

The Country Manager revealed that part of the plans for its CSR arm includes more in-depth community development activities and projects in the areas of education, health, livelihood and environment.

AES makes it a point to build strong roots in communities where it operates, beyond the “good neighbor” concept. At the onset, AES has initiated community development programs that continue to help boost the domestic economy of its host communities.

On top of its community development efforts, the company has also undertaken a community-based training and livelihood program to equip the out-of-school youth of its host communities.

AES has partnered with key local government agencies in the establishment of a Welder’s Training Center. Through the said program, AES aims to enhance the social welfare and quality of life in the community. With the said Training Facility, AES is taking more solid steps in partnering with the community in furthering its human capital development.

AES has also initiated a continuing capability-building program for its customers through the AES Academy. Through the AES Academy, the company hosts seminars and trainings on Safety, Corporate Governance, Systems Management and Planning and Development for electric cooperatives. Through this initiative, AES is able to provide empowerment that helps equip distribution utilities further in managing and enhancing their business and operations.

"We look forward to a more productive and progressive partnership with the communities we serve — ensuring our commitment to operating the Masinloc facility to the highest standards as well as in assisting them in their continued growth through human capital development that can spur the local economy,” Horrocks said.

No to Coal Plant in Subic Bay

2011-08-20T07:55:00.003+08:00

Romi Lentos

Here's our biggest challenge... PNoy supporting coal plants
SBMA and DENR are just following his lead, therefore our focus should be on the President himself... the mass actions should take place in the seat of power NOT on the dogs that's just following orders

Groups down on P-Noy visit - Cebu Daily News
Ecology groups claimed that the coal dust from the plant caused respiratory diseases to develop in nearby residents in barangay Colon, Naga. ...

P-Noy inaugurates 200-MW coal-fired plant in Cebu

GROUPS DOWN ON P-NOY VISIT for inauguration of the 200-megawatt coal plant in barangay Colon, Naga City. ...

Green groups question P-Noy's presence at coal plant's launch

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday led the inauguration of a 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant that is expected to ...

Patrick Escusa sir may i ask, if the SP and our Governor Jun Ebdane is against the coal plant, why not pass an ordinance against it instead of a resolution... an ordinance disallowing the operation of a coal plant in zambales halimbawa?
August 15 at 11:31pm · · 6 people
Buraot Delgado Good point Pat. Pero parang magiging wa epek naman ung ordinance, kasi it would go against some other laws. Tingin ko lang naman.
August 15 at 11:38pm · · 1 person
Alex Corpus Hermoso Kindly forward this to our friends at SBFCC. Someone there is making us believe the the Coal Plant in Hawaii will similarly co-exist with commercial and tourism hub like Subic Bay. And how about the Fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technology which seem to be a better Taiwanese Technology. Read on....

In HAWAII:
The Hu Honua plant emit more particulate pollution than many coal plants. The plant also emit between 200 and 300 tons of carbon monoxide per year, which is treated by EPA as a proxy for organic pollutants like formaldehyde. The plant will emit over 6 tons of formaldehyde and 5.74 tons of benzene per year.
Partners For Policy Integrity
Author: R. Wiles Published April 22,2011

In 2006, Hawaii's sole coal-fired power plant produced 1.6 million tons of CO2, 900 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 1,000 tons of nitrogen oxide;

This coal-fired power plant was responsible for 7.6% of the state's total CO2 emissions

In the USA: some information:Along Delaware canal 44.8% colorectal cancer
In Kenton 22.4% above average for ALL cancer cases
In Millsboro 29.8% for lung cancer
In Wilmington 21.1 % for prostate cancer

by Cris Barrish , The News Journal

Fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technology is not Taiwanese Technology
FBC boilers was first used in eastern Pennsylvania in 1987.
FBC burner are more complicated than normal pulverized coal power plants

Waste coal has higher concentration of mercury than normal coals ( 4X than bituminous coal) PAHs from FBC are more than normal coal burners due to their use of limestone injections , their lower combustion temperature range , the low rank coal being burned and the higher levels of chlorine and sulfur in the fuel. The addition of extra limestone can promote the formation of PAHs in the FBC system. The total PAH emission increases with an increase in sulfur content of coal. Some ash particles can still pass the Electrostatic precipitators and transported into the atmosphere. Treatment of FBC ash with N2O4 increased its mutagenic potency (cancer –causing property) by as much as 3200 times .CFBC plants contain PAH that readily cause bacteria to mutate.

Mike Ewall Energy Justice.net
www.energyjustice.net/coa/wastecoal
April 2008
August 16 at 12:02am · · 5 people
Jasmine Santiago Consolidate our initial gains and further advance the struggle against the construction of a DIRTY COAL PLANT. MABUHAY ang provincial leadership of Zambales Province.
August 16 at 12:40am · · 4 people
Greeneration Phils CONGRATULATIONS PO MGA SIR. Provincial government is now ROCK-SOLID. @Alex, huwag masyadong alalahanin ang PALASUKONG "LIDER" NG SBFCC. He really dont' know what is all about Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC) - he's just parroting the desperate propaganda line of RP Energy. Pagkatapos niyang tumiklop ay nagsabing pang tapos na daw ang laban. They may have won some battles, but there are more hard battles ahead. DEFINITELY, THE WAR AGAINST COAL PLANT IS NOT YET OVER.
August 16 at 1:22am · · 2 people
Ramon Groesbeck Lacbain II Hindi puede magpasa ng ordinance kasi po may existing coal plant na sa Zambales na pinayagan ng dating gobernador ng Zambales. Pero hindi naman tinutupad ng planting ito ang mga pinangakong pakinabang na para sa probinsiya ng Zambales, bayan. ng Masinloc at barangay ng Bani sa kabila ng matinding perwesyong dulot into sa kalikasan at kalusugan. Mayroon din tayong pambansang batas ukol sa kalikasan na hindi puedeng balewalain basta ng isang ordinansa.
August 16 at 6:11am · · 2 people
Ramon Groesbeck Lacbain II Nais ko ring ipaaalam na hanggang sa kasulukuyan, makalipas ang maraming buwan patuloy na tinututulan ni Gov. Ebdane, ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan, ng bayan ng Masinloc at ng barangay ng Bani ang planong expansion ng AES coal plant sa Masinloc. Nais ng AES na magdagdag pa ng 700megawatt capacity na coal plant pero HINDI PO PUMAPAYAG and lahat ng namumuno sa Zambales.
August 16 at 6:16am · · 4 people
John Bayarong BATTLE AGAINST COAL PLANT LOST, SAYS PRESIDENT OF SUBIC BUSINESS GROUP ---The president of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) yesterday waived a white flag of surrender against the construction of the 300MV coal plant at the Redondo Peninsula.http://subicupdater.blogspot.com/
Subic Updater
subicupdater.blogspot.com
DESCRIPTION HERE
August 16 at 8:51am ·
John Bayarong ‎Greeneration Phils these attacks against people you do not know only alienates more and more people. Danny Piano is a decent man and loves subic very much. He does not deserve such treatment from you or any of the members of this group. Besides, he is entitled to his own opinion.
August 16 at 9:52am ·
Patrick Escusa pwede bang an ordinance disallowing the operation of another coal power plant in subic bay? batas kasi kapag ordinansa... resolution is just a sentiment. at tulad ng sabi niBuraot Delgado... i also would like to see Governor Jun Ebdane to do a Hagedorn in this issue.
August 16 at 11:52am ·
Bogs Broquil para sa akin political will lang yan.. kung talagang against sa pagtatayo ng coal plant dahil nga nakakapinsala ito sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan eh dapat sa ngayon gumawa na ng concrete na hakbang di nakakasapat ang ang posturing lamang.. dapat humakbang at dapat konkreto..
August 16 at 8:54pm · · 2 people
Buraot Delgado Instead of the SP filing a resolution, which would be another posturing at best, why won't somebody file a Writ of Kalikasan instead?
Wednesday at 6:21am · · 4 people
Bogs Broquil tama ka dyan Buraot Delgado... decisive move ang dapat na maging hakbang.. yun bang mayayanig ang gulugod ng nagtutulak ng pagtatayo ng coal plant..
Wednesday at 9:31pm · · 2 people
Butch Lab Kung hindi pa humihinto ang operation nitong coal fired plant , eh bakit hindi ipadala ang mga pulis sundalo at patigilin ang operation habang naguusap pa kung ano ang dapat gawin at nag-hihintay ng decision para sa paghinto o pagtuloy nitong project. Kung baga sa crime alam na nating may magaganap na pagpatay(sa kalikasan) eh di ipadala ang mga pulis para maihinto ang pagpatay, lalo na kung alam nating may napatay na(kalikasan sa Masinloc). This is simple analogy. Eh ang mangyayari nito dalawa na ang mapapatay bago kumilos ang kinakaukulan.(Subic at Masinloc). Teka muna sino ba talaga ang makapangyarihan dito sa situation na ito ang gobyerno , tao, o ang mga tycoon na nagpapatayo nito.
Wednesday at 10:37pm ·
Romi Lentos Totally agree with the big 3 Bs above, butch, bogs and buraot... the answer to this problem is POLITICAL WILL . . . and DECISIVE is truly the magic word. . . . now are these politicians serious o pinaglalaruan lang tayo.... nasa kanila ang bola... sana wag tayong bolahin

Jasmine Santiago created a doc.

Position Statement on SBFCCI President Surrender to Coal Plant Project

NEVER SURRENDER

The white flag is raised up by some members of the business community within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as a sign of defeat in the campaign to scrap the plan to build a coal-fired power plant in Subic Bay. Such defeat came too soon for a few within the SBFCCI membership.

Mr. Danny Piano stated in his letter that "it is a done deal" and therefore not worth fighting to stop it anymore. The "gladiators" as he claims we are as Civil Society Organizations in the Provinces of Zambales, Bataan and the City of Olongapo are fighting over a useless campaign.
Unknown to Mr. Danny Piano and some members of the Chamber of Commerce, there have been countless of moves that the oppositors have done to protest the issuance of EEC and the strange rush approval of the SBMA Board without the necessary requirements such as "Social Acceptability" . The network of oppositors particularly the multi-sectoral Olongapo-Zambales Civil Society Network affirm its stand against the Coal-fired Power Plant and will never raise the white flag. The proponents and supporters of the Coal-fired Power Plant have not yet seen the real campaign against it. Unkown to the SBF business community, there has been protest actions and confrontations at the project site in the town of Subic. Mr. Piano's claim that SBFCC under his leadership is there since the beginning like a sole crusader protesting with hundreds of hours and using personal resources as if no other group shared the same position is not true. Whereas it is only right and proper that the Chamber made its protests heared since they are utilizing the ecological attributes of Subic, it is also proper that other protesters should be welcome to carry on the fight without surrender.

We stand by our statement that there is no Social Acceptability by the directly affected communities in the Municipality of Subic and is opposed by various tourism-related locators, the association of the Greater Subic Bay Tourism industries and other business establishments within the Greater Subic Bay Area. The residents of Olongapo City and Subic Municipality as well as the residents within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone particularly in Kalayaan and Binictican Residential Area strongly oppose the project. The project is opposed by the Olongapo City Government for health and environmental reasons. Two City Resolutions have been passed and submitted to the SBMA and concerned government agencies under lobbying of concerned citizens and Civil Society Organizations. The deliberations of the Sangunian Bayan of Subic (herewith attached) strongly opposes the same project. The Zambales Provincial Board strongly oppose what would be the second Coal-Fired Power Plant in Zambales after the Masinloc Coal Power Plant that is said to have enough power to supply Hanjin Industries.

It is also a known fact that the project violated the previous terms and conditions with the SBMA that TCC will be a Joint Venture with SBMA, that it would be environmentally friendly, and that it would provide affordable power to the Freeport, Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Area. With the non-compliance of the conditions for the existing project for 300MW Coal-fired Power Plant, the same project is now applying to expand to 600MW Coal-fired Power Plant on the same location.

We further stand by that without clear, transparent and accountable social acceptability, an ECC should not be issued and that the previous ECC for the 300MW must be revoked at once.
The severe negative effect on the eco-tourism image of Subic Freeport will result to loss of tourism incomes, pollution and negative effect to public health without mitigation, possible acid rain formation endangering the last Central Luzon rain forest within the Subic Bay Freeport are not addressed at all. Furthermore, the 100% export of power generated to national grid in contradiction to promises and commitments for reasonable and cheaper power in the Freeport and neighboring Local Governments cannot be met as Mr. Piano accepted.

The supporters and those who gave up the campaign are not fully aware that Fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technology is not a Technology of Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation. FBC boilers were first used in eastern Pennsylvania in 1987.

The so-called Clean Coal technology is indeed just a little more superior and cleaner than conventional pulverized coal power plants but the FBC burner are more complicated than what Mr. Piano admittedly observed. Burning of coal at low temperature results in incomplete breakdown of organic compound and thereby increase the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) and waste coal has higher concentration of mercury than normal coal burners due to their use of limestone injections. The addition of extra limestone produce more solid waste and can promote the formation of PAHs in the FBC system. The total PAH emission increases with an increase in sulfur content of coal. Some ash particles can still pass the Electrostaticprecipitators and transported into the atmosphere. These should not have passed the scrutiny of those who were once opposing the Subic Coal Plant like Mr. Piano.

We urge Mr. Piano and the rest of the SBFCC members not to lose out in the fight that is just starting. It is far from over and it is gaining more support not only within the Philippines but also with the international community. SBFCC as he said never changed its stand against the project. We all are frateful for their unified stand even if Mr. Piano in his personal capacity believes that the fight is lost. SBFCC should know that renewable energy is also available for Subic as already proposed and soon to be approved.

ALEX CORPUS HERMOSO
Lead Convener,
Olongapo-Zambales Civil Society Network
Member of the Board, People's Task Force on Hanjin & Subic Bay Inc.
August 17, 2011, 4:06 PM

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/notocoal/

Subic Chamber President released a letter on SBFCC position and update on coal power plant

Here-under is Prof. Danny J. Piano's mail regarding the chamber's position on coal power plant and update for our info:

The issue about the Redondo coal-fired powered plant has again reared its head so I think it is best that members be informed of what went on and its present status. Here’s a brief historical timeline:

28 Jul 2006 – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SBMA and Taiwan Cogeneration Corp (TCC) regarding the latter’s proposal to build a coal-fired power plant

11 Aug 2006 – letter by TCC regarding proposed location of ash pond

4 Dec 2006 – SBFCC letter to SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza (ACA) opposing the Redondo coal-fired power plant

Dec 2006 – Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted by TCC

22 Dec 2006 – SBMA Ecology Center consultation meeting with the Subic Bay Resorts Association (SUBRA) and later, with SBF locators

24 Jan 2007 – Manifesto from the Alliance for the Preservation and Enhancement of Subic Bay

26 Jan 2007 – Subic Coal-Fired Power Plant Presentation to Locators by TCC

4 Apr 2007 – SBMA’s Ecology Center issues Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to TCC

7 May 2008 – DENR's Environmental Mgt Bureau's (EMB) Public Hearing at Cawag Elem School, Subic, Zambales (there was another one conducted at around this same date at the Aristocrat Restaurant)

12 Jul 2007 – SBFCC letter to DENR Sec. Angelo Reyes, re: opposition to coal-fired power plant

26 Jul 2007 – SBFCC letter to newly appointed DENR Sec. Jose Atienza Jr, re: opposition to coal-fired power plant

27 Dec 2007 – SBFCC letter to VP Luis Aboitiz, re: opposition to issuance of ECC to TCC

12 Mar 2008 – Danny Piano’s report to the SBFCC regarding the circulating fluidized bed technology based from a similar TCC power plant in Taiwan

14 May 2008 – SBFCC’s letter to DENR-EMB's Julian Amador opposing the plant

22 Dec 2008 – DENR, which essentially "voided" SBMA's ECC, issues their own ECC to the Redondo project nonetheless

6 Oct 2010 – HHIC (Hanjin) writes SBMA regarding their concern about possible effects of dust from the power plant to their painting operations

14 Dec 2010 – Redondo Peninsula Energy’s (RP Energy) replies to HHIC saying essentially there is negligible or no effect

28 Jun 2011 – Pres. Aquino showed support to coal-fired power plants when he inaugurated a plant in Cebu and said, "While the power plant we are inaugurating today does not necessarily produce renewable energy, it does comply with the Clean Air Act”

22 Jul 2011 – Meralco PowerGen Corp. takes majority stake in the Subic Bay 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant. Secretary Jose Rene Almendras of the Department of Energy who witnessed the signing said that the Philippines will continue to rely on coal as a major fuel for power generation

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of this issue and has submitted several position papers regarding our opposition to the Redondo coal-fired power plant. The SBFCC position has not changed.

Unlike some people who today profess knowledge about the issues concerned and what went on, we were actually there since the start. Since 2006, we spent, mostly on personal time, hundreds of hours researching the facts; attending public hearings; and gathering, studying, and analyzing documents we can get our hands on.

While the Subic Bay Freeport obviously has a need for more reliable and cheaper electricity, we are also a premier tourism destination. But, we do not want to be fear mongering as others do since the plant that will be built is based on the new and much cleaner circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology; it is a case of NIMBY or not-in-my-backyard in our case.

Some SBF manufacturers who in the past did not care much about the power plant when electricity was more reliable and cheaper have now expressed concern due to the continuing rise of electricity rates. Studies by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), of which the SBFCC is a member, have shown that unless something is done, the Philippines will have electricity supply problems. Also, that the Philippines now have the highest electricity rate in Southeast Asia. It also said that we need the right mix of renewable but expensive energy and non-renewable but less expensive energy like coal. It is a necessary evil, the same as our gas-guzzling cars and SUVs. It is analogous to the reason why we are not all driving hybrid cars—because we cannot afford them.

In short, the cause for concern of many manufacturers is not without basis, as do the concern of tourism-related companies about the potential effects of the power plant to the environment and tourism. It is a case of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

But, are we really going to get cheaper electricity rates from the Redondo plant?

Just today, another newspaper release came out from the Philippine Daily Inquirer titled, “Subic locators not primary beneficiary of coal-fired power plant.” If this is true then we won’t get much of the cheaper electricity that we are hoping for in the first place. Fortunately, it is not entirely accurate. The nodal billing and open access system that will become effective nationwide late this year will take care of that. Basically, the cost of transmission will depend on how close one is to a power generation plant. The closer we are to one, the cheaper the transmission cost. Not to mention the plan to provide generation cost discounts to Freeport locators if the previously proposed 69kv line for a 50MW block to the Freeport mainland is found to be impractical.

In any case, the stark reality is that the Redondo plant project is going to push through. It already has, in fact. The project proponent has already started its development which it expects to complete by 2015. Even as we have not changed our position, even if we have been fighting it since 2006, the reality is we lost this fight. Some organizations and people who were not there during the fight when it was happening are now making it appear to be the gladiators—when the fight is all but over. The past Arroyo administration has approved the project more than two years ago. The present Aquino administration is for it, too, because of the impending power crisis and since it complies with the strict Philippine Clean Air Act in the first place.

Friends, we cannot fight a fight that is over. While hope springs eternal, we must also be pragmatic. What your Chamber is now trying to achieve relative to this project is to make sure that appropriate monitoring systems are put in place and that the visual impact of the power plant to tourism is minimized. I had made a suggestion to the project proponent that the 24/7 emission display on their computer monitoring system be made available to the public via a website. This way, anybody can monitor the emissions and there will be transparency. I look forward to winning this one at least. Strict monitoring is very important and is the reason why some coal-fired power plants like the one in Oahu, Hawaii and Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, California are able to co-exist with both commercial and tourism establishments. For this reason, we will lobby to be part of the authorized monitoring team as well.

I hope I have provided a summary of all the information we have on hand relative to the Redondo power plant project. You may agree with me or not on some or all of it but, as your president, it is my duty to present it as it is.

Sincerely,

Prof. Danny Piano

President

Mahatma Randy Veloria Datu

War on Subic coal plant losing battle, says trade group head | Inquirer News

newsinfo.inquirer.net

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The head of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) on Tuesday threw in the towel in the fight against a planned coal-fi

Olongapo City . . . SubicBay . . . Zambales News

No to Coal Plant in Subic Bay

Romi Lentosat marami silang perang nakalaan para sa envelopmental journalists na naglipana... take this as an example.... AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/311949/aes-elevates-masinloc-power-plant-operations-worldclass-standards

Mahatma Randy Veloria Datu

AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards

AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards

No to Coal Plant in Subic Bay

Jasmine Santiago created a doc.

Subic Chamber President released a letter on SBFCC position and update on coal power plant

Mahatma Randy Veloria Datu

Romi Lentos
at marami silang perang nakalaan para sa envelopmental journalists na naglipana... take this as an example.... AES elevates Masinloc power plant operations to world-class standards
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/311949/aes-elevates-masinloc-power-plant-operations-worldclass-standards