DOE: 14 coal-fired power plants seeking regulatory go-ahead

Fourteen coal-fired power plants are in the projects pipeline of the Department of Energy from 2014 to 2020, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said Tuesday.

 

In Mindoro for the signing of agreements for a new geothermal plant in the town of Naujan, Petilla said the new power plants are needed to address the growing demand for electricity and avert power shortages.

 

But some environmental groups are opposed to the use of coal a fuel for some of the new plants.


 

 

Edward Lorenzo of Tanggol Kalikasan said coal is the dirtiest of all fuels and the use of mercury in coal plant operations raises the toxins risks to areas where the plants will be built.

 

Lorenzo said the mercury used could seep down to groundwater sources and contaminate them.

 

He said communities that have coal plants complained of adverse effects on their health and and livelihood sources—fishing and farming. 

 

But officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said they will make sure the plant operators comply with standards against air and water pollution. — ELR, GMA News