In a letter to the Department of Energy (DOE), twenty-eight Quezon-based and national organizations called for a total cancellation of the proposed Atimonan One Energy (A1E) coal-fired power plant of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) – a project that faced opposition in the last ten years over its detrimental impacts to the environment and host communities.
Led by the South Luzon Laudato Si’ Convergence, the groups welcomed the April 22 decision of the DOE recalling the certification of exemption of A1E from the 2020 coal moratorium, pending further department review.
“However, we know that this withdrawal grants no assurance that the project will indeed no longer come to life – whether as a coal or gas/liquefied natural gas facility, which MGen has been aggressively claiming as a conversion option it should be allowed to pursue… Our call for a total termination of the 1,200 Atimonan coal plant, and its sister proposition of a 2,400 MW gas plant is a moral responsibility owed to our communities and to the preservation of our Common Home,” the groups wrote.
The groups also reminded the DOE of its duty under the Renewable Energy Law of 2008 to ensure the displacement of unsustainable sources of energy with renewables, stating that “the promotion of fossil fuels therefore results in the failure of the DOE to adhere to this responsibility.”
“Communities across Quezon and the Philippines have long suffered health, livelihood, and other impacts from the proliferation of coal and gas. Meanwhile, much potential for clean energy from renewables remains untapped in our country.”
The letter comes amid a call for courtesy resignations by President Bongbong Marcos among cabinet members – a response to midterm polls results which are seen as indicative of the public’s dissatisfaction with the administration’s performance. Resigned officials are expected to remain in their post pending a performance review.
“It’s sensible of DOE Secretary Lotilla to be among the first cabinet members to turn over his resignation. Three years into the post, he has miserably failed to address rising electricity rates, rampant outages, and uncompetitive and abusive practices in the power sector. While he is still in office, the Secretary has a chance to do right by consumers and communities by ensuring the full termination of the A1E project. Failure to do so would be a disservice to consumers, and would only solidify the unchecked dominance of one company – Meralco – in both power generation and distribution,” explained Gerry Arances, Convenor of consumer rights group Power for People Coalition (P4P).
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