Friday November 20, 2009
Thorough checks before coal plant goes ahead
A proposed 300mW coal-fired power plant in the east coast of Lahad Datu district will undergo a thorough assessment before it can get off the ground.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the government had no intention of bulldozing through a project that has raised concerns about its impact on the environment.
He said the government was aware that a coal-fired plant is needed to address the critical power shortage in the state but would ensure that the project had cleared all environmental requirements first.
“This is not like baking buns. Building a coal-fired power plant is totally different,” he said when winding up the debate for his ministry.
Masidi said a final decision on the coal-fired plant would depend on the findings of a detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA). He said among the aspects that would be looked into are water quality, wetlands, ecology, land use, solid waste management, drainage, flood analysis and landscape.
Masidi said the public could give feedback on the EIA after the document is exhibited at various locations including libraries, the District Council and Department of Environment offices.
On another matter, Masidi said there was a drop in the number of environmental-related offences involving medium-sized projects.
He said complaints of such offences declined from 188 in the first nine months in 2008 to 149 in the same period this year, adding that the drop was due to more awareness by developers about environmental conservation measures.
On suggestions that the number of visitors to the renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan be increased, Masidi said it would not be viable because studies had shown that the carrying capacity of the island is only 120 visitors per day.
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