Tag Archives: Nuclear Free Bataan Movement

[Statement] Nuke is the Past, Renewable is the Future! -NFBM

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Nuke is the Past, Renewable is the Future!

Let us not retrogress by embracing nuclear power plants when most nations are turning their backs on this technology and have since embraced renewable solutions since the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.

File photo from NFBM FB page

Let us remember that scientists have still to provide a suitable solution to the radiated water leaking onto the Pacific from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima prefecture, Japan. It is estimated that more than 3 million irradiated or contaminated water has found its way to the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant.

Let us not invite trouble to befall our nation in putting up our own nuclear power plant, whether they be located on land or floating over water like the Russian model.

Nuclear Free Bataan Movement urges Philippine Energy Secretary Cusi to put the 200,000 MW renewable energy potential (combined wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal capacity) of the country into fruition. We need to learn from other countries’ experiences like Japan (Fukushima), Russia (Chernobyl), the US (Three Mile Island), and our historic stance as a people that resulted in the mothballing of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

We believe the need for new power plants, especially a nuclear power plant, is being bloated. It is business interests and not public interest that drives this development– same with the expansion of coal plants in the province of Bataan, regardless of its impact on health, economic sustenance of affected communities, not the general public that will benefit with the expansion of coal plants in Bataan despite adverse health and economic impact onto the general public.

Our current energy strategies are short-sighted and not even taking into account that the world has less than 12 years before we reach a critical point regarding climate change.

We believe that the current government is banking on blindsiding the Filipino people by fast-tracking its push to go nuclear, relying on its heavy-handed and punitive reprimand of critics to silence any opposing voices.

We echo the words of former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan that nuclear power is unsafe and too expensive to build anywhere in the world.

The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale classifies the Fukushima Daiichi incident and Chernobyl (1986) as major nuclear accidents. These are events that involve the major release of radioactive material with widespread health and environmental effects requiring the implementation of planned and extended countermeasures.

We can only imagine the extent of devastation if a similar event occurs in the Philippines. No amount of technical expertise can enable us to cope with this worst case scenario.

October 2, 2020
Reference: Francisco Honra
Secretary General, NFBM

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[Statement] Power Crisis Solution Should Exclude Nukes, Coal – NFBM

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Power Crisis Solution Should Exclude Nukes, Coal – NFBM

For some years, we used to be second to the US in producing geothermal energy, globally. But our combined renewable energy potential (wind, solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal) around 200,000 MW, is set aside in favor of carbon-intensive energy plants like coal and even the worrisome revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

NFBM

The Department of Energy and former Rep. Mark Cojuangco are at it again.

Using the issue of the imminent power crisis as an excuse, they are once again trying to influence and shape a pro-nuke stance from among the people of Morong and Bagac during its public forum held last July 25, 2014 in Bagac, Bataan.

President Aquino’s recent State of the Nation Address last Monday alluded to his administration’s determination to address the power crisis.

As members of Nuclear Free Bataan Movement (NFBM), we want to tell him that the solutions should veer away from the coal dependency exhibited by his Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), especially in the light of real climate change implications.

The World Bank and the International Energy Agency, in March 2012, warned that at least 80 per cent of known reserves of fossil fuels must be left untapped if the world is to avoid a catastrophic temperature rise.

Yet, here we are constructing 24 new coal power  plants contributing 52.8 million tonnes/year more of carbon dioxide emissions and an additional 20 more proposed in the next  2-5 years , not to mention entertaining the idea of rehabilitating the BNPP as if the continuing tragedy in Fukushima has not shown how devastating a nuclear disaster could be.

These plants will not be for the 2.7 M Filipino who are without electricity; rather these plants are geared for business, mining operations and economic enclaves like in our case here in Bataan.

Indeed, the Philippines is ‘ more open for business’ but on the other hand, it will leave our people in the dark as electricity supply remains private and expensive,  as high as in Japan.

Now is NOT the time to gamble with the risk of nuclear technology which has been proven fundamentally dangerous and unsafe.   Instead, it’s time to shut down the (nuclear) program permanently.  Thus, we reiterate our call that a safe world is a nuclear-free world.

PRESS STATEMENT
July 30, 2014

References:
Rev. Msgr. Antonio Dumaual, NFBM Chairperson – 09178679242
Francisco Honra –  Secretary General – 09188974643