First American Scientific Corp. (fka FASC)

[ptrey]

FWIW: Wouldn't be surprised to learn FASCM is the private company...If not...It should be:

15 August 2005
Philippines: dispute stalls 1st biomass power plant

A dispute between the state-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) and its private sector partner, Sukhin Energy Inc. (SEI), an organization backed by American, British and Ukrainian investors, is causing the delay in the construction of the country’s first biomass-fired power plant, a lawmaker from Bicol said in a press release yesterday.

The 5-megawatt plant, which would run on coconut husks, rice hulls and other agricultural waste that could readily be converted into fuel, was planned to be jointly put up by Napocor and SEI in the island-province of Masbate.

Biomass is one of the six renewable energy sources—the five others being hydro, wind, geothermal, tidal and solar.

Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago revealed that Napocor and SEI were currently locked in dispute that was an offshoot of Napocor’s decision to involve another private firm in the project after it had inked an agreement with SEI.

He said the SEI had already completed all the groundwork to get the project started, including the important social preparation.

“We want the dispute settled posthaste so that the Bicolanos can start reaping the direct and indirect benefits of the project,” Santiago said.

He added that apart from energizing communities in Masbate, the project promises to offer more income for thousands of small farmers throughout the Bicol region.

Since the facility will use plant matter waste, growers will have a ready lucrative market for their coconut husks and rice hulls, Santiago said.

The National Economic and Development Authority has declared the Bicol region as the second poorest region and Masbate province as the third poorest province in the country.

According to the Department of Energy, Masbate province only has 56 percent of its barangays with power.

Santiago urged Malacañang to step into the dispute to try to save the pioneering power plant.

“If necessary, the President should get involved so that the dispute may be settled quickly, and the project can be implemented without further needless delays,” he said.

The project would give more meaning to Ms Arroyo’s program to quickly develop energy solutions and alternatives based on locally available resources in order to reduce the country’s dependence on costly imported crude oil, Santiago added.

http://www.freshplaza.com/2005/15aug/n2_ph_biopowerplant.htm