Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is creating an energy council that will draw up a roadmap for renewable energy in Negros Occidental, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said today, February 22.
Lacson, who met with Alminaza and former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela at the Capitol in Bacolod City today, February 22, said he committed to form the council.
“I will have to decide who can help us lead this energy council, most likely from the private sector, and then we will decide on the membership,” the governor said.
Alminaza said their groups, Renewable Energy Power Negros and the Center for Ecology, Energy and Development, are pushing for sustainable clean and renewable energy in Negros Island and presented this to the governor.
Their groups want to help the provincial government come up with a roadmap towards renewable energy, Alminaza said.
The Paris Agreement sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to 1.5°C, Alminaza said.
It is about time the national and provincial governments get serious in doing their share to help meet the target, he said, citing the flood damage being caused by climate change.
“No matter how nice our plans for development are if the environment is in disarray nothing will happen,” the bishop said.
Alminaza said they are willing to support the governor’s energy council to come up with a roadmap to make Negros reliant on 100 percent renewable energy.
“I am happy the governor is open to it,” he said.
COAL PLANT SHELVED
Meanwhile, Alminaza said he was informed that San Miguel Corp. will not pursue the construction of a coal-powered plant in San Carlos City because coal is no longer economically viable.
They are entertaining the use of natural gas, Alminaza said, but said the way to the future is through renewable energy.
He said the four Roman Catholic dioceses in Negros Occidental will urge the faithful to use more solar energy.*