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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Salceda knows a viable way to revive Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

Salceda knows a viable way to revive Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

Published Mar 4, 2022 10:00 am

Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda believes he knows a good approach to the possible revival of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

A nuclear power plant jn Belgium (Frederic Paulussen/ Unsplash)


Salceda calls this the "franchise approach" and he plans to pitch it soon to the Chief Executive.

“I think we should bid it out as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and grant its operator a franchise," the House Ways and Means Committee chairman said in a statement Thursday, March 3.

"The thing with nuclear power plants is the gestation period for the investment requires several decades. So our private partner will need the political and legal security of a franchise from Congress. That is definitely on the table, and I will tell President Duterte to consider that approach as well,” Salceda explained.

President Duterte had just signed Executive Order (EO) No. 164, which, according to Salceda, prods the state to pursue nuclear energy as an alternative energy source. The latter backed this policy, which came amid Filipino consumers' struggles with exorbitant pump fuel prices.

"If the BNPP can indeed be rehabilitated, as the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute says it can be, then we should pursue it in the name of energy independence,” said the economist-solon.

He also mentioned a key difference between nuclear energy and fossil fuels, which the country is currently dependent on.

“Fears about nuclear energy’s safety fail to take into account the deaths and diseases that fossil fuel energy regularly, continuously, and invariably causes. Nuclear energy problems are risks that can be avoided. With fossil fuels, you can’t avoid polluting--which has deadly implications on air quality.

"Let me make it very clear: I support the pursuit of safe and reliable nuclear energy. It is the most dependable energy source. The country’s national and economic security would be stronger with nuclear energy. We would be more energy-independent with nuclear energy. We must approach nuclear energy with eyes and minds wide open, not with irrational, sentimental fear,” Salceda said.

A President Ferdinand Marcos-era endeavor, the BNPP has never been fired and has be maintained annually to the tune of P40 million.

Related Tags

President Duterte Ferdinand Marcos fuel prices EO PPP nuclear congress joey salceda franchise method bnpp 30422
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