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Lahad Datu: The Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) Thursday refuted the accuracy of information in the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) prepared by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on the proposed coal-fired power plant for Sinakut here.

Its President, Wong Tack, said the report prepared last January was meant to be handed to Lahad Datu Energy, the company that would build the power plant, before it was sent to the Department of Environment (DOE) for verification.

After reading thorough the report, Sepa found the contents to be full of wrong information while several important details were also not included “on purpose to confuse the public.”

“We have our own panel who went thorough the report which we considered as more in favour of the proposed coal-fired power plant.

“We (Sepa) want them to know that we are among those who do not accept the accuracy/authenticity of the information in the said report and ready to take serious action to object it,” he said.

He said Sepa will take a legal action if the DOE approves the proposed coal-fired power plant and would also lodge a police report because “there are negative impacts than good will come up in the long-term (if the plant is built and operational).”

He said the Sandakan Anti-Coal Committee fully supports the effort by Sepa against building a coal-fired power plant not only in Felda, but throughout Sabah.

He said Sepa was not alone in this but had a good relationship with international-based NGOs which are serious in environmental protection.

Published on: Friday, May 21, 2010

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http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/38648

Mr. Stephen Wong invite EVERYONE to come forward for a dialog & discussion with Mr. Wong Tak regarding the above DEIA report soon to be released .

Please come forward now to show your support before its too late and regretted why you didn’t come forward to help.

Date : 19th May 2010 ( Wednesday )

Time : 7.30 pm sharp

venue : Chinese Chamber of Commerce , Sandakan .

Thank You

Regards

www.savesandakan.com

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By RUBEN SARIO

KOTA KINABALU: An initial environmental report on a proposed 300mW coal fired plant on the state’s east coast has drawn concern from various Sabah groups, who say it is full of shortcomings.

Among others, the Terms of Reference for the project at the Felda Sahabat scheme appears to have ignored the long-term impact of the coal plant’s emissions into the pristine Darvel Bay.

This is especially important as several kilometres away from the proposed coal plant site in the bay is a sea grass area that is the habitat for the endangered dugong or sea cow.

Sabah Environmental Protection Association president Wong Tack said this was one of the findings at a first review conducted on the project’s Terms of Reference at the Department of Environment in Putrajaya on Nov 24.

“The Terms of Reference showed there was no study carried out on the cumulative effects of the coal plant emissions over a five to 15-year period.

“What is ironic is that the Darvel Bay is within the Coral Triangle Initiative which Malaysia has pledged to conserve,” he said here Sunday.

The Prime Minister had attended the summit on the Coral Triangle Initiative, dubbed the “Amazon of the Oceans,” in May and pledged USD1mil (RM3.4mil) to its protection.

Wong said at the review, state government officials had also voiced concerns that the emissions could have adverse impact on the Tun Sakaran marine park and world renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan over the long term.

He said the Terms of Reference was also drawn up based on climate conditions in the Tawau district – more than 200km away – and not within the Tengku area, the proposed site for the coal plant.

Wong said this was critical as the Tabin Wildlife Conservation area – home to Borneo Pygmy elephants, rhinos, orang utan and sun bears – was just 20km away.

He claimed that the consultants responsible for the Terms of Reference appeared not to have obtained feedback from state officials nor explored any alternative to the coal plant.

“Yet, we have a natural gas fired plant in Kimanis coming up and while a 300mW biomass power plant is not practical, it doesn’t mean we can’t have such smaller plants in the various districts,” he added.

Wong was among three Sepa representatives at the review that was also attended by officials from the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Wildlife, state Environmental Protection, Forestry, Fisheries and Health Departments as well as Sabah Parks and the Lahad Datu district office.

Sepa was also representing Green Surf, which is a coalition of various groups including WWF-Sabah, Malaysian Nature Society, Land Empowerment, Animal and People, and Pacos Trust, at the review.

http://www.thestar.com.my:80/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/29/nation/20091129175502&sec=nationh

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Coal Pollution Damages Human Health at Every Stage of Coal Life Cycle, Reports Physicians for Social Responsibility

"Coal’s Assault on Human Health"

Washington, DC -  November 18, 2009 – Physicians for Social Responsibility has released a groundbreaking medical report, “Coal’s Assault on Human Health,” which takes a new look at the devastating impacts of coal on the human body. Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health.

This report looks at the cumulative harm inflicted by those pollutants on three major body organ systems: the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and the nervous system. The report finds that coal pollution affects all major body organ systems and contributes to four of the five top causes of mortality in the US:  heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

"The findings of this report are clear: while the U.S. relies heavily on coal for its energy needs, the consequences of that reliance for our health are grave," said Alan H. Lockwood, MD FAAN, a principal author of the report and a professor of neurology at the University at Buffalo.

"These stark conclusions leave no room for doubt or delay," says Kristen Welker-Hood, SCD MSN RN, PSR’s director of environment and health programs.  "The time has come for our nation to establish a health-driven energy policy that replaces our dependence on coal with clean, safe alternatives.  Business as usual is extracting a deadly price on our health.  Coal is no longer an option."

Also participating in the report’s release were the American Lung Association and the American Nurses Association.

Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. This report looks at the cumulative harm inflicted by those pollutants on three major body organ systems:  the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and the nervous system. The report also considers coal’s contribution to global warming, and the health implications of global warming.

Viewed in this way, the totality of coal’s impact on health becomes clear. Coal pollutants affect all major body organ systems and contribute to four of the five leading causes of mortality in the U.S.:  heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

• Respiratory Effects: Air pollutants produced by coal combustion act on the respiratory system, contributing to serious health effects including asthma, lung disease and lung cancer, and adversely affect normal lung development in children.
• Cardiovascular Effects: Pollutants produced by coal combustion lead to cardiovascular disease, such as arterial occlusion (artery blockages, leading to heart attacks) and infarct formation (tissue death due to oxygen deprivation, leading to permanent heart damage), as well as cardiac arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. Exposure to chronic air pollution over many years increases cardiovascular mortality. 
• Nervous System Effects: Studies show a correlation between coal-related air pollutants and stroke.  Coal pollutants also act on the nervous system to cause loss of intellectual capacity, primarily through mercury.  Researchers estimate that between 317,000 and 631,000 children are born in the U.S. each year with blood mercury levels high enough to reduce IQ scores and cause lifelong loss of intelligence.  
• Global Warming: Even people who do not develop illnesses from coal pollutants will find their health and wellbeing impacted due to coal’s contribution to global warming.  The discharge of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere associated with burning coal is a major contributor to global warming and its adverse effects on health and wellbeing worldwide, such as heat stroke, malaria, declining food production, scarce water supplies, social conflict and starvation.

In addition to the impacts from pollutants emitted during coal combustion, the report pinpoints negative health consequences at each step of the coal life cycle.  Coal mining leads U.S. industries in fatal injuries and is associated with chronic health problems among miners.  In addition to the miners themselves, communities near coal mines may be adversely affected by mining operations due to the effects of blasting, washing, leakage from "slurry ponds," the collapse of abandoned mines, damage done to streams and waterways, and the dispersal of dust from coal trucks during transportation. Slurry injected underground can release arsenic, barium, lead and manganese into nearby wells, contaminating local drinking water supplies.  The storage of post-combustion wastes from coal plants also threatens human health.  There are 584 coal ash dump sites in the U.S, and toxic residues have migrated into water supplies at dozens of sites. While every stage of the coal life cycle impacts human health, the combustion phase exacts the greatest toll.

"Given the disease burden associated with coal as well as its contribution to global warming, it is essential that we establish energy policies based on a fundamental commitment to human health and the health of generations to come," said Peter Wilk, MD, the Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Based on the report’s findings, PSR issued five policy recommendations:

• Cut emissions of carbon dioxide as deeply and as swiftly as possible, with the objective of reducing atmospheric carbon levels to 350 parts per million, through 1) strong climate and energy legislation that establishes hard caps on global warming pollution coming from coal power plants, and 2) strict enforcement of the Clean Air Act.  
• Reduce fossil fuel power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides so that all localities are in attainment for national ambient air quality standards.
• Establish a standard, based on Maximum Achievable Control Technology, for mercury and other hazardous air pollutant emissions from electrical generation.
• End all new construction of coal-fired power plants, so as to avoid increasing health-endangering emissions of carbon dioxide, as well as criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants. 
• Develop the capacity to generate electricity from clean, safe, renewable sources so that existing coal-fired power plants may be phased out without compromising the nation’s ability to meet its energy needs.

Download the report:
Executive Summary (pdf)
Full report (pdf)

Download by chapter:
Front Matter (pdf)
Chapter 1 Introduction (pdf)
Chapter 2 Life Cycle of Coal (pdf)
Chapter 3 Respiratory Effects (pdf)
Chapter 4 Cardiovascular Effects (pdf)
Chapter 5 Neurological Effects (pdf)
Chapter 6 Global Warming (pdf)
Chapter 7 Policy Recommendations (pdf)

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (PSR) – Founded in 1961 by physicians concerned about the impact of nuclear proliferation, PSR shared the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize with International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War for building public pressure to end the nuclear arms race.  Since 1991, when PSR formally expanded its work by creating its environment and health program, PSR has addressed the issues of global warming and the toxic degradation of our environment.  PSR educates and advocates for  policies to curb global warming, ensure clean air, generate a sustainable energy future, prevent human exposures to toxic substances, and minimize toxic pollution of air, food, and drinking water.  More information is available at www.psr.org.

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Bid to silence Sabah’s anti-coal campaign

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/118711

Joe Fernandez
Dec 1, 09

The Sabah government has warned a coalition of environmentalists against continuing to publicise their anti-coal option campaign, insisting that they should "use the proper forum" to express dissatisfaction.

Since the weekend, Green Surf (Sabah Unite to Re-power the Future) and Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) have been selectively leaking the proposed terms of reference (TOR) for the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) on the coal plant.

State minister for tourism, culture and environment Masidi Manjun (left) today issued a thinly-veiled threat, proffered as "friendly advice".

"Green Surf or Sepa should consider whether it is appropriate for them to air their differences (on the coal plant) in public and through the media, even before the TOR have been finalised," he said.

He conceded that "it is fair for the public to have access to the final TOR" but noted that these are still being drawn up at a series of meetings in Putrajaya and Kota Kinabalu.

"They (Green Surf) can forward their opinions and grouses during the next meeting (in Kota Kinabalu).

"Perhaps it would serve their interests more effectively if they refrain from making public, at this point of time, every one of their disagreements on the TOR. Instead, they should concentrate on arguing their points during the meetings."

Masidi stressed that the invitation to Green Surf to attend the meetings is proof that the state government values their input.

"To engage in the media on the TOR even before these are finalised would make it even more difficult for the various parties to engage in a professional exchange of opinions.

"All parties should attend the meetings with an open mind. They should be ready to accept with humility that their preconceived notions on certain aspects may not necessarily hold water."

Masidi clarified that the DEIA report would cover water quality, wetlands, ecology, land use, solid waste management, hydrology, drainage, flood analysis, landscape and visual aspects.

Other issues are the terrestrial ecology, flora, fauna, biodiversity, conservation, marine ecology, fisheries, coastal process, phytoplankton, coral reef and sea grass, climate, air quality, air quality dispersion modeling, environmental cost benefit analysis, public and workers’ health, environmental health risk assessment, quantitative risk and hazard assessment emergency response plan, coastal hydraulic and hydrodynamics, and thermal and chlorine dispersion.

He denied Green Surf’s allegation that the TOR would be filled with "predetermined and conclusive statements without scientific backing, facts and figures".

Shortcomings detected

Green Surf remained undeterred by Masidi’s "damage control" move, maintaining that "the TOR is sub-standard and totally unacceptable".

"The TOR appears to ignore the long-term impact of the proposed coal plant’s emission into the pristine Darvel Bay," said Sepa president Wong Tack.

He disclosed that Green Surf had three representatives – including himself – at a Department of Environment meeting in Putrajaya on Nov 24 and discovered that the TOR are being drawn up without external consultation.

"Given the various shortcomings in the TOR, these should have been rejected then and there in Putrajaya," stressed Wong.

"We are very concerned about the limited scope of study in the TOR. These should not have contained conclusive statements."

Wong also alleged that the TOR does not comply with the Sabah Development Corridor planning requirements or with other state guidelines, such as shoreline development, fisheries and tourism.

"The TOR also acknowledges that no study was carried out on the cumulative effects of the coal plant emissions over a five to 10-year period," he said.

"Even state government representatives have voiced concern on the adverse impact of the emissions on the Tun Sakaran Marine Park and the world-renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan over the long term."

Green Surf alleged that a key weakness of the TOR is that these were based on climate conditions in Tawau, and not the proposed site near Lahad Datu, 200km away.

Tawau was the second site selected after the initial location in Sandakan was abandoned on a wave of public protests.

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He said the proposed site of the coal-fired plant is at Kg Sinakut, about one kilometer from the Sahabat Resort. He said

Kg Sinakut is part of a totally pristine coastline 40km long, stretching between Tunku and Dent Haven around the eastern most

tip of Dent Peninsula. The Dent Haven is Sabah’s last wilderness frontier.

The likely destruction of the environment in the Dent Peninsula should be sufficient ground for the Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) to report the negative impact of the coal-fired plant in the area, and thereby give a strong recommendation for

the Government to reject the proposed coal-fired plant altogether

 

I am not sure, however, whether Datuk Peter Chin’s assurance that Tenaga Nasional (TNB) would be using the highest

standard coal on par with that used by coal-fired plants in developed countries is sufficient to allay our fears about this known

polluter of the environment. He is the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water.

But does this position gives him the authority to give assurance about coal-fired plants? Both China and the USA are said

to be dismantling their coal fired plants, and it is, I believe because of the pollution caused by the use of coal.

Let us not become another great “offender”

to destroy mother nature – such as the ozone layer and closer to home – our “pristine coastlines and wilderness”, our environment…………………..

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Global climate change and its impact on biodiversity costs an estimated US$2 trillion-US$5 trillion (RM6.9 trillion-RM17.3 trillion) annually compared with the estimated US$4 trillion losses from the recent global financial crisis, said Khazanah Nasional Berhad board member Datuk Seri Panglima Andrew Sheng.

“We must think about what will happen to us if crops and food supplies are affected,” he said, citing the 2008 European Union-commissioned report entitled The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity as the source of the monetary cost of global warming.

“If we do not confront this issue, all of us will be deeply impacted,” he said.

Sheng added that the global crises faced in recent times should be viewed as an opportunity for Malaysia to react to the changing world although it was a complex issue and needed deep consideration………….

http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/150694-sheng-annual-cost-of-global-warming-more-than-2008-global-crisis.html

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“Malaysia is said to be one of the 10 top nations rich in biodiversity, with such high value, and special attention should be given to ensure that the environment is constantly protected and preserved,” he said at the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) here.

He said the JPM was the most important department involved directly and indirectly in ensuring that conservation and preservation of this biodiversity was carried out and in raising the awareness of the society and those responsible of the importance of protecting the country’s treasure………..

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Sepa voices concern

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Environmental Protection Society (Sepa) Wednesday expressed grave concern over Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) plan to build the controversial coal-fired power plant at a “totally pristine” wilderness coastline in Dent Peninsula.

“From our recent field visit, we understand that Kampung Sinakut, just a stone’s throw (one kilometre or so) from Sahabat Resort, is the proposed site for the 300MW plant.

“Kg Sinakut is part of a totally pristine coastline 40km long, stretching between Tunku and Dent Heaven around the eastern-most tip of Dent Peninsula,” said its President Wong Tack (pic).

“This is Sabah’s last wilderness frontier,” he told reporters at a press conference.

Lapping this coastline are kilometres of snow-white sandy beaches, according to Wong……………….

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