|
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Coal plant operator scoffs at emission stats
The firm running the coal-fired power plants of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) in Naga, Cebu has admitted the presence of “toxic chemicals” in the ash samples obtained and analyzed from the old facilities by Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
But Salcon Power Corp., in a press statement, said the existing coal plants are more than 20-years-old and use old technology.
Despite this, they “are confident that these are within National Emission Standards,” Salcon said.
Greenpeace released Tuesday a study alleging that ash samples from coal-fired power plants in Naga and those of Mirant Power in Toledo City contained mercury, arsenic, lead and chromium.
Mercury is a neurotoxin that affects the mental development of fetuses while arsenic is reported to be a carcinogen.
Salcon, which has entered into a consortium with the Korean Electric Philippines Corp. (Kephilco) and is planning to build two 100-megawatt coal-fired power plants that are expected to be operational by 2008, also questioned the figures presented by local anti-coal groups.
Local opposition against coal-fired power plants is led by the Cebu Alliance for Renewable Energy (Care).
Salcon Power said emission standards used by Care were “plucked out of thin air.” It said the figures used by Care were “way much lower than the maximum permissible limits set in the Clean Air Act.”
“Salcon and Kephilco don’t want to mislead the public. To make the record straight, we urge Care and other opposition groups to re-check and re-verify the emission standard figures,” it said.
Salcon said the health of Cebuanos, especially the residents of Naga, is a priority of the firm. (LAP)
(June 4, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
