BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
TAKE 2? The Ramon S. Ang-led San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is making noise anew in Negros Occidental. This time, it is for its proposed P18.5-billion 300-MW (megawatt) liquefied natural gas (LNG) combined cycle plant (CCP) still in San Carlos City.
Such, per initial report, will be undertaken by Reliance Energy Development, Inc. (REDI), a wholly owned subsidiary of SMC’s power arm, Global Power Holdings Corporation (SMC-Global Power). It will be erected within the boundaries of Barangays Punao and Palampas.
But like the botched proposal for a 300-MW coal-fired power plant in the same city last year, this LNG plant is also meet early opposition. During the public scoping two weeks ago, Negros environmentalists alongside the Diocese of San Carlos have registered their plangent opposition. They vowed to block it just like what they did against the firm’s proposed coal-fired power plant before.
Negros Occidental is deemed one of the “Green Provinces” in the country. The late governor Alfredo “02” Marañon Jr. was the “brain” behind this “greenie” tag. He was a staunch anti-coal – or any fossil fuel – advocate.
LNG is a fossil fuel, too. Thus, public disapproval “in memoriam” of 02 is expected.
Is an LNG plant a boon or bane for Negros?
For Negros’ ecological (eco) warriors, it’s a bane both for economy and environment.
But the business sector says otherwise. For them, it’ll surely pave a way for Negros island’s quest for energy security.
But which is which? Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) president Frank Carbon says, “Yes, LNG is fossil, but it’s clean! It’ll reduce substantially our power cost.” And will redound to less transmission charges, less congestion charges and less system loss.
Carbon adds that Negros then will have power sufficiency and reliability at affordable cost.
But Negros is teeming with renewable energy (RE), counters San Carlos Bishop Gerry Alminaza. By using fossil gas, adds the prelate, this plant goes against the hope of Negros to becoming a 100% renewable energy-powered island.
But Carbon stresses, “I hope the Department of Energy (DOE) would recognize Negros as model for their Power Transition Plan (PTP) – a long awaited plan.”
Asked if they’ll endorse the project to the provincial government, Carbon quickly avers: “Of course, yes! It’s an answered prayer!”
And if all this happens soonest, he proudly quips, “The power disruptions brought about by typhoons will be a thing of the past in Negros. And this is ONE BATTLE WON!”
A WAY ABOVE
For his part, San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo says they welcome the project for two major reasons – job opportunities and income generation.
But Gustilo is still “against tide of early public opinion.” He contradicts Bishop Gerry and the Diocese of San Carlos.
Gov. Bong Lacson, a San Carlos native, is also “frugal” in his comments. In an interview in Isabela town, he says SMC will always decide on the business and economic side.
“I think it (SMC) is always conscious of the environment being an A-listed company. I know it’s way above it so we can’t expect SMC to be violating any environmental rules,” perceives Bong.
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, meanwhile, confirms there’s already a referral at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for the endorsement of this LNG project. Though he confides they didn’t act on it yet.
Understandable! It’s election time, so, this project might cause “negative impacts” on anyone’s candidacy.
PROS AND CONS
Per research, world-distinguished GNPW Group, which specializes in businesses and projects in the area of energy, fossil and alternative fuel logistics, says LNG is produced from a cryogenic process. Such a process filters and cools natural gas up to 16 degrees Celsius, thus, reducing its volume by up to 600 times. With this, it’s possible to transform the gas into liquid, making it easier to store and transport. So, it attracts investments for power generation and gas distribution anywhere in the world now.
LNG, GNPW reports read, is considered a great transition energy and excellent substitute for conventional fuels. But then again, “the million dollar question”: What are the effects of this LNG plant to the environment?
GNPW simplifies that since it’s fossil fuel, it still emits carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. But when used as transition energy source, GNPW accentuates that the number of tons of gas emitted per year is already decreasing and points to the new outlet.
So, over all, the GNPW study reveals, LNG already contributes to environmental sustainability, considerably reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel costs as well.
But in his Facebook (FB) post, famed Negros’ conservationist Errol Gatumbato says the proposed LNG plant in San Carlos may not only need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) but also congressional approval.
This, as he suspects it might be located within the Tanon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) – a declared protected area.
Tito Errol is a no non-sense guy. He means what he says. His passion on environmental protection conservation is truly beyond grill. Thus, having doubts about the project, it’s not remote that Tito Errol already has a “premonition” on the possible myriad problems for the environment –slash – human health.
This, as LNG, per world record, may also cause any untoward man-made disaster. One of the infamous and severe LNG disasters in the world happened in San Juanico Ixhuatepec just near Mexico City Area in Mexico on November 19, 1984.
Plant’s pipes were ruptured, causing the so-called Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE). The tragedy put the lives of more than 60,000 inhabitants within the periphery of the plant owned by Pemex State Oil Company in real danger.
BALANCE
Thus, the Provincial Council is now faced by a tall challenge – to endorse or not this controversial project. By all means, it has to strike a balance between economics and environment.
Of course, “lobbying” at the Capitol for the second time around might be “intense”.
Too, SMC Global Power won’t explore another chance just for nothing. Though young, yet, this eight-year-old Ang’s power firm had already proven its “worth” and “might” in the orb of power industry.
What’s exciting, therefore, is the much-awaited decision of the Provincial Council. Will it be “less stiff” or “more stiff” towards Ang’s second attempt? Quite tricky, but heads will roll soonest.
However, a group of Negros’ youth already vowed to block the project. Youth for Climate Hope (Y4CH) convener Bianca Montilla, in a press statement, says, “We will do our best to guard the hope of a clean energy future.”
What a wisdom coming from the younger and persuasive generation of Negros. Notable and “alarming”, hence!
‘HOT SEAT’
These and more contradicting views and opinions, therefore, will gonna send to the “hot seat” Provincial Board members Rommel Debulgado (4th District), Man-Man Kho (3rd District), and Samson Mirham (2nd District), chairpersons of the committees on environmental protection, energy and disaster risk preparedness, respectively. Each must see to it that during the conduct of hearings by their respective committee, all angles must be explored and all stakeholders must be heard.
The battle now is between our ultimate quest(s) for sustainable “Green Negros” and power security. Thus, careful scrutiny and discerning are advised. Lots of concerns must be addressed, too. Another mistake committed is a “no-no”.
Remember that world-legendary American anthropologist Margaret Mead once enunciated that, “We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.”
Mead stressed the environment itself is also in desperate need of man‘s love and attention.
While Earth Day’s founder Gaylord Nelson reminded the entire human race: “The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thank will not be heard./PN
