DAVAO CITY – An alliance against coal-fired power plant here is not happy with the announcement made by the Aboitiz Power Corporation’s ThermaSouth coal-fired power plant that the plant is now ready for operation.
Dr. Jean Lindo, spokesperson of the No to Coal alliance, said they are concerned with the effects on health and environment of the coal-fired power plant located in Brgy. Binugao.
“We have the experiences of so many cities around the world for us to say so,” Lindo said citing the study of US-based Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) which points to coal as “the single biggest air polluter in the US.”
Lindo said air pollution coming from CFPP includes sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, mercury, heavy metals, carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and arsenic.
“UCS in its publication, detailed many health problems and diseases which can result from exposure to these air pollutants, including respiratory diseases, brain damage, and heart problems,” Lindo said.
Lindo also said the coal plant could “pose a negative effect” on the city’s image in light of the campaign against climate change.
