BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The US-Philippines civil nuclear cooperation agreement, signed in November 2023, aims to enhance nuclear energy collaboration between the two nations.
While the agreement holds potential benefits such as energy security, economic growth, and technological advancements, some sectors voiced apprehensions about potential downsides, particularly severe environmental and public health impacts.
Will high-profile nuclear disasters similar to Chernobyl and Fukushima happen again?
Nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima are unlikely to happen again, as significant advancements in nuclear technology and safety protocols have been made since those incidents.
“What happened at Chernobyl simply could not happen in the US That event was the product of a faulty reactor design not used in the U.S. and a government system very different from ours in the US,” said Colette D. Honorable, chief external affairs officer of US-based energy firm Exelon.
Honorable was the resource speaker on nuclear technology and the “123 Agreement” during the media seminar facilitated by the US Embassy from July 8 to 9 in Iloilo City.
In a statement, the US State Department confirmed recently the bilateral agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation that the Philippines and the United States has entered into force, enabling the two countries to cooperate on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Known as the “123 Agreement,” such a bilateral agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation under Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act allows the sharing of nuclear materials, technology, and information for peaceful purposes.
“The Agreement will enhance our cooperation on clean energy and energy security and strengthen our long-term bilateral diplomatic and economic relationships,” the US State Department said.
“Energy security is an increasingly critical global challenge requiring deliberate collaborative efforts, and together our two countries can make a significant contribution to our shared clean energy goals,” it added.
Civil nuclear cooperation agreements, also known as 123 Agreements, provide a legal framework for exports of nuclear material, equipment, and components from the United States to another country.
The Department of Energy (DOE) said the agreement would allow the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment, and components directly between the Philippines and the US or through persons authorized by their respective authorities to engage in transfer activities, which will support potential nuclear power projects with US providers.
In her presentation, Honorable pointed out that high-profile nuclear disasters like Fukushima and Chernobyl moved the industry toward new requirements that are integrated into today’s operations.
Honorable also debunked popular myths on nuclear energy, including apprehension that nuclear energy is not safe.
“America’s nuclear power plants have an excellent track record and are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the country,” she said.
Honorable said nuclear is being deployed safely worldwide today.
“Nuclear energy is responsible for a significant amount of the carbon-free electricity in the United States which is over 20 percent,” she said.
Replacing that much clean power with enough renewable generation would be extremely difficult while also ensuring reliability, resilience, and affordability.
“An “all of the above” approach that combines intermittent low-carbon sources, such as wind and solar, with around-the-clock sources, such as nuclear energy, is the most effective approach to reduce carbon emissions,” Honorable stressed.
Nuclear energy, with around 413 gigawatts (GW) of capacity operating in 32 countries, contributes to reducing climate change and fossil fuel use by avoiding 1.5 gigatons of global emissions and 180 billion cubic meters of global gas demand a year.
Many countries have recently taken steps to extend operations at existing nuclear power plants and build new ones.
For instance, Belgium recently decided to extend the operation of two existing reactors from 2025 to 2035, which will meet around 15 percent of the electricity demand.
Canada also introduced an investment tax credit of up to 30 percent for clean energy technologies in late 2022, explicitly including small modular reactors (SMRs).
China continues to lead in nuclear capacity additions, with two large reactors completed in 2022, four more starting construction, and plans to further accelerate deployment.
France agreed in 2022 to construct 6 new large nuclear reactors that will meet around 10% of electricity demand, with an option to build 8 more.
For her part, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson pointed out the U.S. government is committed to supporting the Philippines in exploring the feasibility of micromodular nuclear reactors in the country.
For instance, the Department of Energy and the Philippine American Educational Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding that will facilitate academic exchanges and provide scholarships for capacity building and workforce development in the Philippines’ civil nuclear industry.
“As we strive to achieve energy resilience and security, it is essential to uphold the highest environmental standards,” said Carlson./PN
