An international group of climate scientists and environmentalists is urging the government to kick-start the long-standing proposal to switch to nuclear energy.

We encourage you to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different clean energy technologies as you develop a future for your country

In an open letter addressed to President Rodrigo Duterte dated 20 January, the group of professionals encouraged the president to support the inclusion of nuclear energy in the country’s pursuit of clean energy.

“Now, the Philippines is at risk of increasing its dependence on the dirtiest fossil fuel, coal. It is currently the largest source of electricity in the country, and is expected to grow significantly,” the letter stated.

“About half of the coal Philippines consumes is imported at a cost of about P50 billion ($1 billion) a year. The Philippines has the 16th most expensive electricity out of 44 nations, according to a 2016 study by Manila Electric Co.”

Against this backdrop, the group urged the country to reduce its reliance on coal and other fossil fuels and suggested refurbishing the Bataan nuclear power plant in Luzon.

The Bataan nuclear power plant was built between 1976 to 1984 in line with a 1950s agreement under which the Philippines signed with the US’ Atoms for Peace program.

Operations were halted following the concerns over the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, and the plant has never been used until now.

A global group of advocates call on the Philippines to accept the idea of nuclear power generation to ramp up the country’s industrial potential. contributed photo “The plant has been maintained over the years and thus with a refurbishment could be operational within a few years. Doing so would be a positive next step to making nuclear energy a key source of electricity for the Philippines,” the group said in its letter.

According to Michael Shellenberger, president at Environmental Progress which is a non-government organization, nuclear energy is the most viable alternative to “rapidly grow the economy while reducing air pollution.”

Shellenberger, who was named Hero of the Environment by Time Magazine, said that what makes nuclear energy special is that it does not produce air pollution, which causes over four million deaths a year.

“The reason that nuclear is the cheapest way to make electricity, especially for countries like the Philippines, is that you make most of the processes making it here in the Philippines.

Whereas if you burn coal, oil or natural gas, you have to import all of that energy from foreign countries, so that’s money that has to leave the country when it could be creating jobs,” Shellenberger said during a forum on Monday.

The long-term transition plan starts with making a political decision to commit to nuclear energy, he said. This is followed by deciding which country to work with, as engaging in the complex technology requires the assistance and mentorship of countries which already has knowledge on nuclear energy, such as China, Russia, Korea and France.

Meanwhile, former congressman Mark Cojuangco argues that in contrast to fears, the worse that could happen to nuclear plants are “radiologically inconsequential,” citing the 2011 occurrence when reactors of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were damaged due to a tsunami that succeeded a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.

“A nuclear plant cannot explode like a nuclear bomb. To make a bomb, you need uranium enriched 99 percent, nuclear fuel is enriched 4 percent. The fuel is too dilute, it cannot explode like an atomic bomb,” Cojuangco also emphasized.

He added: “The culture of safety and quality is imposed on the country going nuclear by the international community. By the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). You cannot keep anything hidden in the nuclear industry.”

Shellenberger, who organized the open letter signed by international award-winning climate scientists and environmentalists, is set to meet officials of the Philippine government including the Department of Energy.

“Nuclear power also protects the natural environment by requiring far less land and resources than other energy sources, an especially important attribute for the Philippines, a biodiversity hotspot. Due to the energy density of nuclear fuel, coastal nuclear plants in the Philippines would require 180 times less land and 17 times less construction material than solar,” the group further stated in its letter.

“We encourage you to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different clean energy technologies as you develop a future for your country. We believe that nuclear energy can be the vital link between nature, prosperity, and peace in the Philippines.”