Call to Include SSME in Coal Plant Study

Include Sulu Sulawesi in coal plant study

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=54069

by Sandra Sokial

July 31, 2010, Saturday

KOTA KINABALU: An in-depth study on the extent of the environmental impact of the proposed Lahad Datu coal-fired power plant on the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion should be undertaken.Director of Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Philippines, Theresa Mundita Lim, said this would help all affected nations to work together to mitigate the impact and probably address any possible implications as a result of the construction of the plant.

Theresa was responding to a question on the possible rise in sea temperature due to the coal-fired power plant operation, and its effect on marine life and seafood supply within the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion, which also includes her country.

The proposed 300MW coal-fired plant is expected to be built at Kampung Sinakut in Lahad Datu, which utility company Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd claimed to be the only answer to overcome power supply problem, especially in the east coast of Sabah.

Theresa said anything undertaken on one side of the Sulu Sulawesi would always affect the other side of the area.

“That is why cooperation is very important for us. Whatever next step (we undertake), we should be able to think as one. We are not isolated in the Sulu Sulawesi Ecoregion.

“Everyone is affected, so we need to work with each other to mitigate any impact of any activity,” she stressed.

The Sulu Sulawesi Eco-region encompasses three countries – Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.