Published: Thursday November 19, 2009 MYT 1:35:00 PM
Govt promises proper assessment of coal-fired project
By RUBEN SARIO
KOTA KINABALU: The proposed 300mW coal-fired power plant in the east coast Lahad Datu district will undergo stringent assessment before it can get off the ground, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said.
He said the Government had no intention of bulldozing the project through.
Various groups in Sabah have raised concerns about the plant’s environmental impact.
Masidi said the coal-fired plant was needed to address the critical power shortage problem in the state, but the Government would ensure the project cleared all environmental requirements first.
“This is not like baking buns where you simply mix the dough, eggs and everything. Baking buns and building a coal-fired power plant are totally different,” he said when winding up the debate for his ministry at the Sabah State Assembly here on Thursday.
Masidi said the final decision on the plant would depend on the findings of a detailed EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) study to be conducted by experts.
He said among the aspects required to be in the EIA report were the impact on water quality, wetlands, the ecology, land use, solid waste management, hydrology, drainage, flood analysis and landscape.
Masidi said the public could give their feedback on the project EIA after the document is exhibited at various locations including libraries, and the District Council and Department of Environment offices.
On another matter, he said there appeared to be a decline in the number of environmental related offences involving medium sized projects.
He said complaints of such offences dropped from 188 in the first nine months of 2008 to 149 in the same period this year, adding that the decline was probably due to more awareness by developers about environmental conservation measures, coupled with more stringent enforcement efforts.
Related Stories:
Sabah assembly: Coal-fired plant against green policy
NGOs push for green energy in Sabah
Green light for coal-fired power plant
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- The world just got bigger
- Sodomy II: Judge decision on recusing himself on Feb 18
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Sodomy II: Judge decision on recusing himself on Feb 18
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
RSS
