The Power for People Coalition (P4P), an advocacy group, on November 24 criticized the Department of Energy’s (DOE) statement released the same day which welcomed continuing liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects to stabilize power supply for 2023, saying such statements reflect how out of touch the department is when it comes to the economic and environmental developments about the energy source.
DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla said, “There is a need to diversify our power sources including the use of imported natural gas,” adding that LNG is also aligned with the goal of transitioning to a low-carbon future and helps stabilize power supply from variable renewable energy.
“LNG is a burden for consumers, especially now when global gas supplies are setting record-high prices. Just a few days ago, the Japanese trade ministry came out and said long-term LNG contracts are sold out. Whatever supply we find will be very costly, especially during the upcoming summer peak season,” said Gerry Arances, P4P Convenor.
Arances also raised environmental concerns that will affect host communities after the recently-concluded 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP27 highlighted loss and damage conversations brought by continued dependence on fossil fuels.
Arances said: “It is ironic that right after COP27, when nations around the world discussed how to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, the DOE would come out and say that more LNG projects would help achieve that goal.
“A report by Climate Analytics (CA) states that for the Philippines to meet the 1.5°C target, renewable energy must account for at least 80% of the grid by 2030. These LNG terminals that will only commence operation by next year will go against what the CA report clearly warns us – there is no room for new gas projects.”
Arances’ sentiments are echoed by residents of communities that will host LNG terminals.
Fr. Michael Flores, Director of Archdiocesan Ministry for Environment (AMEN) in Lipa, Batangas, said: “His Holiness Pope Francis himself reminded us prior to COP27 that steps forward must be taken with courage and determination in the footsteps of the Paris Accords.
“This is a direct call to all – especially the government – to take steps in caring for our common home that has suffered due to the climate crisis. The province of Batangas similarly is under immense environmental pressure due to the insistence on pursuing LNG projects.”
Photo credit: iStock/ OleksandrKalinichenko. Stock photo of a LNG tanker.
