Save Sandakan

“Massive Natural Heritage Destruction at Seguntor – Site for the Sandakan Coal – Fired Power Plant”

A Secondary Open Letter

Posted by Save Sandakan On November - 17 - 2008

A secondary Open Letter To:
Y.A.B Datuk Musa Haji Aman Chief Minster Sabah
All Cabinet Minister Sabah
All members of Parliament Sabah
All State Assemblymen Sabah

Yang Amat Berharmat and all Yang Berhormat of Sabah.

Re: Objection on the Proposal of TNB on the implementation of Coal Power in Sandakan.

Further to our open Letter CCC/SCTY2008/6-92 dated 4^th June 2008 pertaining to the subject and after utmost a consultation and study we reaffirm our stand to reject the proposal of implementation of coal Power Plant in Sandakan.

For your information it is not only our stand but with majority of Sandakan people. We believe that Coal Power plant will bring utmost environmental impact to Sandakan in the future.

1. Coal Fire Power will cause 80% more pollution than other diesel plants. It is more polluting and detrimental to the environment as well as the health of the general public as coal is the dirtiest, most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuel. In fact, there is no clean coal in the world.

2. The burning process of coal will result in a large amount of carbon dioxide and methane released and subsequently lead to green house effect which in turn will cause climate change and global warming.

3. Coal also release various heavy metal such as uranium, thorium, mercury, nitrogen and sulfur when burnt. During these burning process, the metal released into the air causes acid rain. It is also known that this acidic rainwater that flows to the ground has serious negative effects on various flora and fauna. Besides that, acid rainwater can also accelerate the decay of buildings and houses, damage to soil used for farming and endanger water animals, which subsequently affect the fishing industry.

4. In USA, billions of dollars are being spent annually to reduce the effect of sulfurs and nitrates in the atmosphere. And where health is concerned, scientists have identified the pollutants that cause acid rain, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, as the culprit behind illnesses and premature deaths suffered from heart and lung disorders such as asthma and bronchitis.

5. In Texas, USA, it is estimated that pollution from coal fire power plant shorten the life of 1,160 Texans, causes the lost 196,149 working days, 11,605 hospitalisations, 33,987 asthma attacks, 144 deaths from lung cancer and 1,791 heart attacks every year. It is also found that in every 1,000 pound of mercury released, there is a 17% increase in autism. Those who have seen an autistic child will know how much mental distress their parents are experiencing. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/coal or http//www.stopthecoalplant.org/

Our proposed solutions are as follows:

i) We understand that Federal had approved to build two(2) new IPP in Sepungar and Tuaran as a temporary measure and activate the Liwagu Hidro Power Plant and it was understood that this Liwagu Hidro Power Plant had completed all the feasibility studies and ready to be implemented but was held up because of the Bakum Power Plant. Since Bakum is unable to provide us the supply, we should therefore activate the Liwagu Hidro Power Plant of which is 700MW for a long term solution.

ii) An other alternative instead of coal plant is the implementation of natural gas power plant. It is indeed non-sensical that our natural gas can flow to Bintulu, which is 500KM away, but not to Sandakan, which is only a stone’s throw away. There is no justification that we, as the natural gas provider are unable to enjoy the benefits of the same.

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