Samcheok and Donghae Citizens, "Oppose Blue Power's Thermal Coal Land Transport"

Call to Withdraw Bituminous Coal Land Transport Plan
Blue Power, "Apologies for Causing Concern and Worry"

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] As Gangwon-do Samcheok Blue Power Thermal Power Plant plans to transport its fuel, bituminous coal, by land, citizens of Samcheok and Donghae have strongly opposed the plan and demanded its withdrawal.

According to Samcheok City and Donghae City Council on the 16th, Blue Power plans to transport bituminous coal to be used in the power plant, which will enter trial operation from April, by land using National Road No. 7 from Donghae Port.

Donghae City Council stated, "We strongly oppose Blue Power's plan to transport bituminous coal by land," and urged the withdrawal of the plan.
[Photo by Donghae City Council]

Originally, Blue Power planned to build a dedicated unloading pier in the sea near the power plant to transport bituminous coal by sea. However, due to delays in the pier's completion, they decided to temporarily transport by land and received approval for land transportation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in June last year.

Since land transportation of bituminous coal is inevitable until the pier is completed in February next year, about 4,400 tons per day (equivalent to 220 dump trucks of 25 tons each) will be transported over approximately 17.5 km of land route.

The section of National Road No. 7 used for bituminous coal transport is a main road connecting Samcheok and Donghae, and is densely surrounded by apartments and commercial buildings. Therefore, citizens of Samcheok and Donghae have expressed concerns about traffic accidents, noise and vibration, road damage, and environmental pollution, demanding the withdrawal of the land transportation plan.

On the 10th, Samcheok Mayor Park Sang-su met with Cheon Young-gil, Director of the Energy Industry Office, and Moon Yang-taek, Director of the Power Industry Policy Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in the National Assembly, strongly demanding the withdrawal of the land transportation approval.

Civil groups such as the Samcheok Coal Thermal Power Opposition Committee and the Civic Society Solidarity for Coal Phase-out held a press conference in front of Blue Power headquarters, urging "Abandon the land transportation plan."

Donghae City Council also condemned Blue Power and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in a statement, saying "We strongly oppose land transportation."

Donghae City Council stated, "Blue Power, which promised to operate as an eco-friendly power plant, not only deceived the citizens of Donghae but also threatens their health and well-being, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy shows an attitude that does not consider Donghae citizens as nationals," urging "Blue Power and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to listen to and accept the will of the Donghae people."

Blue Power, in a statement, said, "We deeply apologize for not sufficiently gaining citizens' understanding in advance and causing concern and worry," and added, "We will announce our position on the land transportation plan within a few days."