ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS OF PHILIPPINE COAL FIRED POWER PLANTS

Abstract:

Considerations of fuel availability and costs, infrastructure support, sustainability of energy source and practicability / non – practicability of indigenous – based facilities have prompted the use of coal in major proposed power plants to address the impending power shortage in the Philippines. These factors are balanced with environmental, social, health and recently, climate – change considerations through the Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA ), a prerequisite to project approval. Environmental impacts, primarily increase in PM10 from the combustion process and likewise from coal storage and transport as well as potential health risks are evaluated on case - to - case basis. Air Dispersion Models are employed. Mitigating measures focus on addressing emissions using modern technologies such as Circulating Fluidized Bed combustion; on fugitive dusts during coal transport and storage and on residual ash with its potential metals.

Responding to climate change concerns, carbon dioxide generation is now introduced in the EIA. Life – Cycle – Analysis is employed.

The social dimensions are a center point in the EIA, the framework probably unique under Philippine system. Mechanics for addressing social concerns especially perceptions which are generally anchored on precautionary principle are in place. Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) which includes the stakeholders, Social Development Programmes (SDP), Information, Education and Communication ( IEC ) and Financial Guarantees against environmental damages are integrated in the EIA protocol.,

With this holistic approach integrating the environmental - economics – social – and co – benefits components of a Coal - Fired Power Plant the government and the private sector are able to formulate their policies and initiatives, respectively, on rationale basis.