Environmental assessment of the rural electrification project, Philippines

The Rural Electrificaton Project is a line of credit to be used by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) of the Philippines to finance imports of electrical distribution equipment and materials. These materials will be used to continue implementation of a nation-wide rural electrification program. The distribution activities include 69 KV transmission lines, 13.8 KV backbone systems and 7.3 KV lateral and secondary connections. It was concluded that the potential for adverse environmental impacts from construction and operation and maintenance of the rural electrification projects are minimal. Some potential does exist, however, for adverse impacts from the activities stimulated by the availability of electricity -- such as large-scale industry and irrigated agriculture. Large-scale industries, if unregulated, may discharge significant quantities of air- and water-borne residuals. Intensified agricultural activity associated with electric pump irrigation systems will result in an increase run-off of persistent pesticides. Therefore, it is recommended that industries be required to install pollution control equipment before providing electric service and that an information campaign be developed to inform farmers participating in electric pump irrigation about the adverse effects of certain types of pesticides.