Unofficial hearing on Krabi power plant

Senator Boonsong Kowawisarat, chairman of the Senate Committee on natural resources and environment, on Sunday led a delegation to Krabi, to hear public concerns over the planned construction of an 800-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the province.

Accompanying him were a sub-committee. Both local residents and representatives from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand - which owns the project - presented their cases.

Boonsong said that the Senate Committee has received public complaints. They were concerned about negative impacts, chiefly through the transport of coal from the coast to the power plant through forest areas. They also fret about health impacts, as before 2005 the power plant was fuelled by coal and a number of local residents remain sick. From the year, the power plant was converted to bunker oil. Now, Egat plans to switch back to coal.

Egat's representative, Anuchart Palakavong na Ayudhya, said while the construction works proceed, Egat is asking for a permit to survey possible health and environmental impacts in the areas.

It has recently stopped the feasibility study on the transportation of coal in two routes, following strong resistance.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/05/19/unofficial-hearing-on-krabi-power-plant/