Conal dialogs with Sarangani residents on coal-fired power plant

ALLAYING fears of massive environmental degradation, Conal Holdings Corp. said on Tuesday it has addressed all potential environmental hazards that will result from the operation of its proposed 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant.

In a statement, Conal Holdings said it is also more than willing to hold dialogs with groups protesting the construction of its 200-MW coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani, to correct the impression that the plant will cause environmental damage.

Conal Holdings added that the dialogs are important in ensuring that the public is given only factual information about the project and not just generalizations on coal-fired power plants that do not apply to the plant that will be built in Maasim.

Conal Holdings has allayed fears of “massive environmental degradation” once its P21-billion coal-power project goes on commercial stream.

“We have already addressed all potential environmental hazards that will result from operating the plant,” Joseph Nocos, Conal Holdings vice president, said.

Nocos said Conal Holdings will use circulating fluidized bed combustion technology that will capture sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and other particulates that could pollute and harm the environment.

“Existing and proven technologies coupled with our commitment to strictly comply with all regulatory standards are our assurances that no harm will be done to the residents in the area and the environment,” he added.

Nocos revealed that the 7,500-hectare agro-forestry will address the carbon-dioxide emissions that protesters said will contribute to global warming.

“Although we are not mandated by law to institute measures in addressing carbon-dioxide emissions, we have taken it upon ourselves to mitigate these emissions by embarking on this multimillion-peso project to make our plant virtually carbon-neutral,” he said.

He also dispelled reports that “thousands will be displaced” by the project. “We are building the plant in a privately owned property which we already bought,” Nocos said.

He said informal settlers residing near the private property would be relocated and given housing assistance. Some 100 families are now living along the coastline in the village of Kamanga near the site where the plant will be constructed.

The Catholic Church, headed by Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, is strongly opposing the coal-fired power-plant project.

Nocos said they presented in detail to some members of the Maasim Parish Economic Council and a group of Redemptorist priests working in Maasim the mitigating measures they will adopt to address concerns raised by the Church and environmentalist groups.

He urged those protesting the project to visit coal-fired power plants that use similar technology the company will employ to see the communities thriving around these plants as living proof that indeed, these plants do not destroy the environment.

link: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/16117-conal-dialogs-with-sarangani-residents-on-coal-fired-power-plant-.html