The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and the Continuing Struggle for a Nuclear-Free Philippines

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is a nuclear facility located in Morong, Bataan.  President Marcos believed that building a nuclear power plant would be the long-term solution to the country's energy crisis encountered in 1973 due to oil embargo in the Middle East.

The construction of the nuclear power plant started in 1976 and was completed in 1984 at a cost of 2.3 billion dollars.  Despite its completion, it was never fueled.  When President Marcos was overthrown by the People Power Revolution in 1986, the succeeding administration of President Corazon Aquino decided not to operate the nuclear power plant.  One of the major considerations in scrapping the nuclear power plant project was the Chernobyl disaster that happened in April 1986.

Inspections and safety studies pointed out the risk of operating a nuclear facility that is near major earthquake fault lines and close to Pinatubo and Natib volcanoes.  That is why residents of Bataan and those opposing the nuclear power plant project continue to struggle against the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

To this day, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant remained unused.  It is said to be the country's most outstanding white elephant.  Up until April 2007, the Filipino people had to pay 155,000 dollars every day for the loan that funded the construction of the power plant.  Since the nuclear facility was placed under preservation mode during the term of President Fidel Ramos, the Philippine government continues to spend 40 million pesos every year for the maintenance of the BNPP.

In July 2008, Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojuangco filed House Bill 4631.  The bill entitled "Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Commissioning Act of 2008" seeks $1 billion in government funds for the commissioning and rehabilitation of the BNPP.  The bill, approved in March 2009 with amendments and now known as House Bill 6300, requires feasibility study to be conducted before rehabilititation of the power plant.   A P100-million budget was allocated for this feasibility study.

The revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant has always been a controversial issue in the Philippines.  Proponents of nuclear energy in the Philippines believe that the rehabilitation of BNPP is timely because of the country's growing population, impending power shortage, aging power plants, and the increasing global oil prices.  However, several lawmakers, environmentalists, and church leaders are opposed to the re-opening of the BNPP.  They are questioning the safety and operability of the nuclear facility.  They are also asserting that the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant will not address the energy crisis.



References and Other Related Articles on Bataan Nuclear Power Plant:
Wikipedia: Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
Timeline Nuclear Power in the Philippines
Push to Revive Bataan Nuclear Plant Timely?
Revisiting the Case For or Against Nuclear Energy
20% Limit to Private Role in Bataan Nuke Rehab Urged
Seven Reasons against the Revival of the BNPP 
M.E.T.T.S.:A Study of the Conversion Options for the Bataan (Philippines) Nuclear Power Station