Press Release
May 25, 2008

Zubiri supports Quit Coal! of Greenpeace, urges immediate passage of renewable energy bill

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed his support to the Quit Coal! Campaign of the Greenpeace Southeast the Asia to pressure energy officials to "Quit coal" to mitigate global warming caused by GreenHouse Gas emissions. "We are addicted to it, but it's time to quit."

"I support the Quit Coal! campaign of Greenpeace and their bold efforts to inform us of the harm it brings to our health and environment. It is the dirtiest fossil fuel even emitting 29% more GHG than oil. It should be phased-out as fuel for our power plants."

"Warning signs of global warming and climate change due to GHG are upon us. Shorter La Niña and El Niño cycles, shifting of the typhoon belt, extreme weather incidents like super typhoons, among others, are already happening and acknowledged by scientists. These wreak havoc on the life and livelihoods of our people especially in vulnerable areas. Rebuilding lost homes and damaged infrastructure, extending medical and emergency treatment for the many stricken ill cost not just money, but misery."

"These may even be just temporary setbacks compared to the long-term threat to our lives. Just 1 degree C rise in temperature will mean 15% decrease in global rice production."

"Quit coal! Or reap the wrath of climate change. The technology to attain so-called clean coal is not in the horizon. Thus, the real clean alternative of renewable energy should be our priority."

Zubiri made the call as Greenpeace blocked coal-laden ships Medi Firenze and Sam John Spirit from unloading its cargo in Pagbilao pier in Quezon. The coal is for the 735-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Pagbilao of Team Energy Philippines (formerly Mirant).

"Coal-generated power currently constitutes 26% of the country's installed capacity. However, instead of decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, it seems the Department of Energy is bent on increasing the share of dirty energy sources. This is unacceptable. I support Greenpeace's call for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants. The expansion of Pagbilao coal fired power plant, in particular, should not push through."

" I will file a resolution in the Senate seeking a halt in the construction of new coal fired power plants in the country."

"In tandem will be a strong renewable energy bill that shall allow us to shift towards a low carbon economy, and away from dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal. Coal carries huge environmental, health and social costs.

"Let us now quit coal and go renewable," Zubiri urged his colleagues in the Senate to hasten the passage of Senate Bill No. 2046 or the Renewable Energy Bill, where he is one of the principal authors.

"The passage of the Renewable Energy bill will encourage investments into renewable energy with its fiscal and non-fiscal incentives package. It will increase the generation and consumption of power from renewable energy sources in the country's energy mix and reduce dependence on imported and dirty fossil-based fuels like coal and oil. That oil prices had increased more than 100 percent in just a period of one year increases the urgency of fast tracking renewable energy programs."

"The Senate will resume consideration of the Renewable Energy bill in this week's session and I hope we can pass the measure on Third Reading before Congress adjourns, sine die, on June 13."

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