Mt. Bulusan doesn't have any geothermal power plant in its vicinity, but if there was, it would probably be built near the Bulusan Lake. Why there? Because a geothermal system requires heat, permeability, and water, which means that near a lake would be a perfect location for this set up. Some water from the lake would go down to the Earth's crust and would be heated by the Earth's heat. The hot water or steam can be trapped in permeable and porous rocks under a layer of impermeable rock. This natural collection of hot water is called a geothermal reservoir.
Experts already found the area as a good spot for building a geothermal power plant. In fact, the Department of Energy (DOE) already issued a contract with Summa Kumagai Inc. (SKI) on February 19, 2010 to start the geothermal explorations for the said power plant. SKI exploration though was soon greeted with protests from the local church and anti-geothermal groups, interrupting the company from advancing until present.
Geothermal operations’ harmful effects have long since showed up in Tiwi, Albay, Fr. Imperial said. The host communities suffer from the impact of geothermal energy generation on livelihood, particularly on agriculture.
SKI engineers point out that there is nothing to confirm the alleged depletion of water in host communities, yet the same technical people admit geothermal operation requires the utility of water. Geothermal energy generation may cause water shortage in the host area. Ricefields may suffer from drought, which eventually may lead to unforeseen damages to agriculture. The flow of tourists into the connected towns of Bulusan and Irosin for their choices of cold and hot springs may choke as the area may drain of water, Fr. Imperial said. These springs and Bulusan Lake have been frequented by tourist for many years now. When the springs around Bulusan Volcano have been drained and the whale sharks (Butanding) in Donsol have already left Sorsogon, the province will have nothing left for tourists.
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| Tourists visiting the Bulusan Lake |
"The benefits that may arise from geothermal energy will not match the cost of combined destructions to environment, health, tourism, and livelihood,” the priest said.
“The position of the church is to protect the people and environment,” he said. “Definitely, the church will oppose the move of SKI and Basic Energy to explore, construct plant and operate.”
Until now, no power plant was built on the area or anywhere near Mt. Bulusan.
Sources:
http://geo-energy.org/Basics.aspx
http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=29567
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