We, the undersigned, concerned citizens, environmentalists, Church workers, professionals, members of civil society groups and representatives of grassroots sectors and organizations, call on our national and local government officials to review the country's current policy with regards to the large-scale extraction, production, and consumption of coal and to impose a fifty (50) year moratorium on dangerous and dirty coal projects in the pipeline. The Philippines is a voracious consumer of coal. In 2009, the country consumed 13.959 million metric tons of coal, 81% of which is imported. There are 10 existing coal-fired power plants which consume 80% of our coal supply. This dependence on one the dirtiest and most harmful identified sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollution puts the country’s environment and health at a great risk. Worse, the Philippine government continues to open up national coal reserves to foreign companies for exploration and production. It is targeting to increase the local production of coal by 250% by 2015 and has approved the construction of at least four new coal power plants by 2012. There are also proposals to construct more coal-fired power plants in the provinces of Isabela, Zambales, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Saranggani, General Santos, and Sultan Kudarat. We, as Filipinos and energy consumers have a right to demand for clean, renewable and affordable sources of energy without compromising our right to a healthful environment and genuine development. We call on our public officials to uphold this duty to reject these mining and coal-fired power plant projects due to the following reasons: 1. Coal is identified as the single major source of carbon emission and air pollution in the world. Coal accounts for one third of global GHG emissions which is the primary cause of climate change and global warming. The power industry consumes most of the coal produced. Approximately 40% of the world's electricity production uses coal. Coal-fired power plants, the main technology used to convert coal to electricity, are one of the dirtiest power generation technologies known. 2. Coal is one of the leading causes of deaths and disease. More coal power plants will cause further carbon emissions, environmental degradation, air pollution, and health problems. The chemical compounds, toxic pollutants and heavy metals produced by coal-fired power plants have been proven to cause pollution, diseases, and deaths in affected communities. In the United States, a study showed that coal-fired power plant pollution causes 24,000 premature deaths, 38,200 heart attacks, 554,000 asthma attacks every year. 3. The destruction, effects and costs of coal will increase the burden of already vulnerable communities to the impacts of climate change. The extraction, production, combustion, and disposal of coal has been related to problems such as community displacement, fish catch reduction, worsening water pollution, and degrading health conditions. Despite the negative impacts reported in coal-affected communities in the country and in the world, foreign and private energy companies have failed to address these concerns as governments failed to bring justice to the people affected by coal power plants. 4. Coal does not guarantee cheaper electricity rates for the Filipinos. Power rates have not gone down despite the use of supposedly cheaper fossil-based sources such as coal. Coal plants does not guarantee lower electricity rates for end consumers as the power industry is deregulated is and controlled by foreign and private companies. By reducing electricity losses, making equitable power distribution, and systematically developing our renewable energy resources, the Philippine government can help bring down electricity rates for the people already mired in hardship. 5. The Philippines has enough renewable energy sources that can be tapped to supply the country’s growing energy needs. In terms of power supply, the country does not need more coal-fired power plants. The Department of Energy data also show that in 2009 the country has an installed power capacity of 15,610 megawatts (MW) and dependable power capacity of 13,319MW while the peak power demand is just 9,472MW. Simple computation tells us that the country actually has an excess power supply of 3,847 MW or equivalent to 19 power plants having a 200MW capacity each. If ever we do need additional energy supplies in the Philippines, we can tap better and cleaner local power sources and technologies instead of using imported coal resources and dirty coal technologies. The Philippines has one of the highest potentials in the world in terms of geothermal resources while our solar and wind power potential are more than enough to replace existing power generation. These industries have to be tapped and developed within a broader, more sustainable, and more pro-people framework of development. In light of these urgent and critical concerns, we appeal to the following members of the Philippine government to heed our demands: • We call on President Aquino to direct, as a matter of policy, the Department of Energy and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to 1.) conduct a comprehensive assessment and full audit on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of coal-fired power plant construction in the Philippines and 2.) embark on a review of the Philippine Energy Plan for 2009-2030, particularly with regards to its strategy of aiming to increase the importation, production, and consumption of coal. • We call on the members of the House of Representatives and Senate to pass and support a fifty-year moratorium on the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the country. Save our communities, protect our environment, no to Coal Power Plants, yes to Renewable Energy! Stop energy privatization! Nationalize the energy industry!