What environmental challenges are there, that affect the use of coal in the production of energy?
Most human activities have environmental consequences and all forms of energy, including renewable energy, raise their own environmental issues. Coal is not exempt from having issues and how these may affect the environment. There are, however, suitable, well-proven technologies existing that can significantly reduce and even eliminate emissions from coal combustion.
What measures has SPI taken to address the concerns regarding pollution?
The Power Plant is using modern and state of the art technology and equipment that will minimize, if not, totally eliminate unsafe emissions in the process of power generation. Further, to ensure the integrity of the ecological systems within its sphere of operations, SPI has initiated a sound environmental conservation program that is geared towards improving the general welfare of its host communities and fulfilling its obligations to the environment under the project Environmental Compliance Certificate.
How are emissions controlled during the power process?
Combustion emissions are controlled in the flue gas by air cleaning equipmet, namely desulfurisation to neutralize sulphur, nitrogen dioxide reduction by optimized combustion, and fly ash removal using bag filters.
Solid by-products such as bottom ash and fly ash/gypsum once collected are stored n a specially prepared disposal area located within the power plant site.
What are the measures taken to prevent dust in the air?
Coal dust suppression from stockpiles will be maintained by regular water spraying. Treated water from the plant will be recycled for dust suppression. The active coal stockpiles will be housed to minimize coal dust dispersal.
The active stockpile is a unique feature of the plant. All conveyor lines will be fully enclosed. The receiving hoppers at the jetty during grab unloading from vessels will be projected by water spraying.
What are the effects of the Power Plant’s discharges on Macajalar Bay & its marine resources?
There is no discernible long-term effect on the marine life of Macajalar Bay. SPI conducts regular marine gene surveys and is establishing trends and statistics. It is anticipated that off-shore structures will in fact act as new marine habitats thus creating new marine environment.
Will run-off water from the plant affect the ground-water or deep wells?
There will be no run-off to the ground water. The disposal area for fly-ash and gypsum will be equipped with an impermeable layer, which will direct rainwater to drainage channels for filtering and treatment. Water used for coal dust suppression will be collected and re-used.
How can water contamination be prevented when unloading coal from the vessel?
What other actions has SPI implemented to protect the environment?
The company has taken steps in developing a comprehensive environmental conservation program which it will continue to manage and develop over the next 25 years.
a. Comprehensive Forest Conservation ProgramSPI has earmarked a maximum target area of 1200 hectares to be developed into production forest and protection forest, in compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. SPI, together with DENR and E.Pelaez Ranch, Inc. (EPRI) have started establishing 500 hectares of plantation forest and will maintain and protect 500 hectares of existing plantation.Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) on a 200-hectare natural forest.
The production forest aims to establish a carbon storage sequestration through a plantation forest. The protection forest, on the other hand, aims to increase the available forest reserves in the area through continuous reforestation activities in the upland, lowland/urban, and coastal areas.
b. The Villanueva & Tagoloan Urban Forestry ProgramVillanueva Urban Forestry Project
In Villanueva, a 500-hectare reforestation project is underway. As an initial step, SPI in cooperation with the concerned local government unit has established a plant nursery to produce the seedlings required to reforest at least 500 hectares within a 25-year period.
Tagoloan Urban Forestry Project
The program’s main goal is to help rehabilitate and preserve the banks of the Tagoloan River. Addressing concerns from indiscriminate quarrying, soil erosion and seasonal grassfire to solid waste disposal and management, the Tagoloan Urban Forestry Program includes, among others, legislative as well as public and private support to ensure the continuity of the program. The development of 500 hectares targeted for watershed areas along the Tagoloan River, is underway.
c. The Coastal Marine Resource Development Program A comprehensive program to develop the marine resources of Bgy. Katipunan in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental and Bgy. Bonbon in Cagayan de Oro City is now underway. The project is anchored on the framework of a community-based natural resource management founded on a co-sharing scheme. This framework ensures the success of development projects by actively and directly involving local stakeholders in the development and management of the program.
d. Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT)A Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT) has been constituted to oversee project compliance with the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and all applicable environmental rules and regulations.
The MMT is composed of representatives from SPI, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of DENR, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Office, representatives from the concerned provincial, municipal and barangay governments, representatives from accredited Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Peoples Organizations (POs), the affected communities, and other regional and national agencies of government. The MMT is chaired by the Regional Director of DENR-EMB.
e. Other Environmental Monitoring SystemsThe power plant is equipped with a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) to ensure real-time monitoring of its compliance to standards prescribed under the country’s Clean Air Act. Designed to operate 24 hours daily on a year-round basis, the CEMS will provide computer-generated data indicating the power plant’s conformity with both national and international air quality standards. The data generated will be accessible to DENR-EMB.
Moreover, ambient monitoring on the quality of air, noise levels, groundwater and seawater quality within the vicinity of the power plant is conducted periodically.
f. Information and Education ProgramSPI is implementing a comprehensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Program to inform communities and other stakeholders about the power plant, its environmental protection programs and safety features, as well as community development initiatives. The program aims to develop a sense of involvement and community stakeholdership to ensure wider community participation in efforts geared towards attainment of sustainable development.