WHY DO WE lack power? Where do we get power?
How do we generate power? What power is available?
What does power cost? What about power from fossil fuel? From coal?
What about power from the sun, from the wind? What about power from gas, from the so-called deuterium?
There is still much graft and corruption. There are still many criminals at large. There are still abundant illegal drugs. But power?!
Such questions and similar ones are not only relevant but also significant considering that as of this time and age, the availability and affordability of power spells development. Otherwise, a country and its people cannot but eventually suffer from serious socio-economic deterioration – not to mention the possibility of fatal socio-political disaster.
In the matter of power or energy, there are certain rather disturbing signs in the country. Some of such ominous indications are the following:
* One, the deregulation of power but the regulation of practically all consumer goods.
* Two, the ever increasing cost of electricity with the consequent more costly use thereof.
* Three, the big lack of power not only in Mindanao but also in other parts of the country suffering from brown-outs every now and then.
* Four, the fact of private local and/or foreign power producers with profit and more profit as their primary goal.
* Five, the phenomenon of a government that talks much and talks loud without complementary accomplishments.
What about nuclear power?
It is said to be not only clean but also safe. It is also said to be super-abundant as well as inexhaustible. It is also frequently noted that there is already the long existing Bataan nuclear power plant ready to be made operative – plus the option to build more of them as needed.
Over and above all, it is emphasized that nuclear is cheap – very cheap. And there are the so-called salutary by-products of the plant once made operative – such as in terms of isotopes, desalinated water and other benefits.
It is furthermore said in this time and age, it would be difficult to find a developed or developing country not using nuclear power.
But then: There was the historical nuclear disaster that hit the Long Island in North America. There was also the nuclear debacle – said to have been a “meltdown” – experienced by Russia itself. And there was the still much felt and lamented nuclear misfortune that Japan experienced.
By the way, this is not to mention the well-remembered “original” nuclear devastation caused by USA in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
What now, Philippines?/PN
