Guv inspects Kepco coal yard

CEBU, Philippines -  The KEPCO SPC Power Corporation (KSPC) has met the one month deadline that Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia gave them to implement measures to prevent coal ash in its power plant in Naga City from spreading to nearby communities.

Top officials of KSPC yesterday toured Garcia and the members of the Cebu media in its coal yard to show the new net cover of the facility the management  earlier committed to finish within one month.

In last month’s meeting with the governor, the net cover was agreed to be installed as the immediate mitigating measure to contain dusts in the coal yard area following an unfortunate incident.

Last November 11, 2012, dust particles from the power plant’s stock pile in its open coal yard reached some houses in the adjacent community after being blown by strong winds.

The management decided to invest in the construction of another house shed to also enclose the open area. This will be the company’s permanent solution to ensure that no more dust can escape and affect the nearby community. The new structure will have a roof using long span galvanized iron (GI) sheets for the entire open coal yard area of 64 meters by 77 meters and erecting 39 H-beam poles. The project is targeted to be completed by February 2013.

“I’m happy with how Kepco has complied with the deadline and they have shown that they are also just as committed to continue operations without causing negative impact on the surrounding communities,” Garcia told reporters.

The KSPC management further said that fulfilling its commitment to the governor and Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong is a manifestation of its seriousness in addressing the coal dust problem.

KSPC vice president and plant manager Jong Woo Moon said that the company’s management is now strongly involving the community in monitoring any other problems that may be created by the power plant operations in order that these issues can immediately be addressed.

He said that operating with least impact, considering that the location of the power plant is very near the residential area and is along the national highway, has been a continuing challenge.

“But the company will not relent in finding solutions to any problem,” he added. —JPM (FREEMAN)