Nuclear energy for PH a 'madness' -eco group

MANILA, Philippines - Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace on Friday urged Energy Sec. Jericho Petilla to abandon his plans to use nuclear power, saying that it is no longer a trend.

The group reacted to the Department of Energy's recent pronouncement hoping for nuclear energy to be adapted, saying this is not the safest form of energy.

"Worldwide, the nuclear industry is declining having failed to establish itself as a clean, cheap, safe or reliable energy source.  The DOE’s new proposal to implement a national nuclear power program in the energy reform agenda is utter madness," climate and energy campaigner Anna Abad said in a statement.

Abad added that although nuclear power is cheap remains unsafe for people despite advances in modern technology, reminding the official of recent nuclear-caused disasters.

"It may seem a cheaper alternative, but nuclear energy pays a human price. Just look at what happened in Ukraine, and very recently in Japan. Has Secretary Petilla completely forgotten about the Fukushima tragedy, the world’s worst human-made disaster to date?" Abad said.

President Benigno Aquino III's previously expressed that the revival of the controversial Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is not on his administration's agenda, Greenpeace said the energy department is already pursuing local and foreign investments for nuclear projects.

The group also expressed disappointment that Aquino has not made significant steps in finding alternative sources of energy but has instead pushed for "dirty" sources of power.

"The government must ensure sustainable development with a future powered by clean and safe renewable energy, rather than dangerous nuclear, or dirty coal power," Abad said.