The Reality of Overunity Generators:

Evidence for an Open-System Universe

Essay by Paul A. LaViolette
December 2013
Paul LaViolette, 2013

There are two energy generation processes that operate in the universe: conservative
energy generation and nonconservative energy generation. Standard physics recognizes
only one of these sources, conservative energy generation. But in doing so it leaves a large
number of observed energy generation phenomena unexplained, as for example overunity
generators that produce energy without consuming fuel. Let us review these two classes of
technologies and start first with the conventional technologies that are currently sanctioned
by society.
.
Conservative Energy Generation Processes
Conservative energy generation processes are processes that are fuel burning, where a
material in a low entropy state (high potential energy) is converted into a high entropy state
(low potential energy) with the release of energy or production of work. There are a large
number of examples that one can point to that fit in this category:
Fossil fuel combustion
Rocket propulsion
Nuclear fission
Nuclear fusion
Low energy nuclear transmutation
Solar energy
Geothermal energy
Energy from subground state electron orbit transitions
____________________________________________
The paragraphs below summarize some examples of the energy conserving transformation
processes that power such modes of energy generation. Since these are familiar to many,
some may want to skip this section and go on to the next page which presents a novel
explanation of the origin of energy powering overunity (nonconservative) energy
generators.
____________________________________________
In the case of fossil fuel combustion, fuels such as wood, coal, oil, natural gas, or gasoline,
(having high chemical potential energy) is converted through oxidation into water, carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide and a host of atmospheric pollutants, all of which are reaction by-
products having low chemical potential energy, and to release low entropy heat dissipated
to the environment. In the case of rocket propulsion, a fuel such as liquid hydrogen and
oxidizer such as liquid oxygen, having a high chemical potential energy, is ignited to
produce water vapor, which has a low chemical potential energy, and to as a consequence
release a copious amount of low entropy heat and mechanical energy. In the case of
nuclear energy, a nuclear fuel such as uranium-235 which has a high nuclear potential
energy, is triggered by neutron bombardment to convert into barium-144 and krypton-89,
which have low nuclear potential energies, and to release high energy neutrons and gamma
rays which collide and degrade into low entropy heat. Both thermonuclear fusion and low
energy nuclear transmutation would also be energy conserving. In the case of the
Rossi/Defkalion cold fusion device, higher potential energy nickel isotopes become
converted into isotopes of copper along with the release of some gamma ray radiation. In
the case of solar energy, photovoltaic conversion for example, sunlight radiation which
comes from a low entropy, high temperature source, the Sun, is converted into low entropy
heat and electric voltage potential. In the case of geothermal energy, geothermal heat at a
high temperature, low entropy state is radiated to the environment as low entropy heat.
Another conservative energy generation process involves energy derived from electron orbit
transitions in the hydrogen atom where orbital electrons are induced to drop to subground
energy states. Examples of this are the water heaters produced by Randall Mills and his
BlackLight Corporation and by C. Eccles and the EcoWatts Corp. This is a phenomenon
whose explanation lies outside of standard physics since standard theory maintains that
there are no orbital states in hydrogen below the Bohr orbit ground state. However, various
theories do predict the existence of these subground energy states, the subquantum
kinetics physics methodology being one such theory. So the energy released in such
devices may be attributed to energy conserving transitions where electrons jump to such
lower orbital levels the energy difference being release from the hydrogen atom through
collisional excitation of catalytic molecules dissolved in the water solution.
All of these processes are energy conserving in that energy in equals energy out. That is,
the change in energy potential when the fuel is converted into lower potential reaction by-
products is equal to the resulting mechanical energy and dispersed heat energy. If this
entropy increasing process is harnessed to produce useful work, then the energy of the
work produced must also be included in the energy-out side of the equation. In the case of
solar and geothermal, the energy embodied in the high temperature source, either the Sun
or geothermal water, is equal to the energy content of the low temperature dispersed heat
energy, along with any mechanical or electric power output that is produced. All of these
processes obey the first and second laws of thermodynamics and Newtons third law. They
all tap into a pre-existing fuel source such as wood, oil, nuclear fuel, the Sun, the Earths
radiating energy, etc. In these cases, if the fuel is naturally existing, it must be mined, and
often it must be refined. Solar energy mining involves simply exposure to the Sun.
Geothermal mining involves drilling for geothermally heated water. In the case of rocket
propulsion, the fuel must be fabricated using the energy of one of these other sources for its
preparation.
All of these conservative energy generation processes have explanations that lie within the
theoretical framework of standard physics and chemistry and hence they are understood
and supported by standard physicists and chemists and sanctioned by governments. They,
however, are expensive to harness and many of them pollute the environment. Even solar
power production, if not done appropriately, can be said to aesthetically pollute the
environment through the construction of fields of solar arrays that disrupt the beauty of
nature.
.
Let us now consider nonconservative energy producing technologies of which there are a
large variety in existence. These violate the first law of thermodynamics and often
Newtons third law. These over-unity or free energy technologies have the potential to
yield very inexpensive power, new modes of transportation and to greatly benefit society.
However, because their explanation lies outside the domain of standard physics theory, they
are opposed by standard physicists and suppressed by governments. The question that the
standard physicist most often asks is where does the excess energy come from that these
technologies generate?
The reason that physicists are in this dilemma is because they view the physical universe as
a closed system, one that emerged into existence through a highly improbable freak event
and that inevitably proceeds towards a heat death in the distant future. They have
extended the laws of heat engine thermodynamics to apply to phenomena in the universe
as a whole, presupposing that the physical universe constitutes the totality of existence and
that it is closed, i.e., has no outside environment.
But there is a new approach to understanding the physical universe that is being developed.
This instead views the universe as an open system and allows for the spontaneous
generation of energy with no need of an antecedent high potential physical source. This is
the methodology of subquantum kinetics. As mentioned elsewhere, subquantum kinetics
has surpassed the prediction track record of general relativity and quantum mechanics in
that it has upwards of 12a priori predictions that were subsequently verified. Moreover it
constitutes a unified field theory, explaining the origin of electric charge, gravity, their force
interactions, the origin of the nuclear force, spin, magnetism, beta decay, and a host of
other phenomena in a unified theoretical framework.
In subquantum kinetics the physical universe is viewed as a pattern epiphenomenon of an
inherently unobservable ether composed of etheron units that engage in reaction and
diffusion processes throughout space and which proceed as well along a higher dimensional
etheric continuum that extends beyond the physical, above and below our universe. To
those familiar with eastern metaphysics, the relation of the physical universe to the higher
dimensional etheric realm is the same as that of maya to the greater Maya. Hence the
universe is like a water mark on a piece of stationary paper. To us, the watermark is
physically real and that seems to us as the totality, but in reality it is the paper that is the
true reality, yet it is invisible to us. We become aware that the paper is actually present by
conducting laboratory experiments such as those that refute the special theory of relativity
(see chapter 1 ofSubquantum Kinetics for a list).
Let us put an imaginary boundary around the unobservable etheron states X, Y, and G that
are proposed to compose the observable physical universe which itself consists of all
existing fields, particles and photons, and call this system U. Then subquantum kinetics
holds that there is an etheric environment or outside to system U which is inherently active
and maintains all matter, energy, and fields through its ever-present activity. In fact, it
views all matter, energy, and fields as mere inhomogeneities (waves or gradients) in this
ether that would immediately vanish were the ethers ongoing activity ever to cease. A
universe in which matter can materialize and dematerialize, where photons can
spontaneously gain energy or loose energy? To the conventional physicist this sounds like
magic! But whats wrong with conceiving the universe as being a bit magical? Many find
this preferable to the positivistic, closed-system, clock-work-like model that physicists have
constructed and whose ultimate fate is the thermodynamic heat death. By shifting to this
open system perspective, stories of holy icons or statues weeping tears of fragrant nectar,
of magicians levitating themselves in the air, of mystics materializing vibhuti (sacred ash) in
the air now become plausible and fill us with wonder.

It is known that the first law of thermodynamics, that entropy should spontaneously
increase, is only valid for a closed system. Open systems, systems that exchange matter
and energy with their environment, can instead spontaneously decrease their entropy,
increase their state of order. The mathematics setting this forth was deduced by
mathematician Ilya Prigogine, an achievement for which he was given the Nobel Prize. The
energy content of open systems can progressively increase provided that they import high
energy potential fuels or food and export low energy potential products, or waste. One
example of such an order increasing system is a living organism. Another example is an
etheric reaction-diffusion system, such as Model G of subquantum kinetics. In this case, it
is not matter and energy, but etherons that enter and leave the domain of our physical
universe, transforming into the G, X, or Y ether states that form the substrate of our
universe, or transforming out of these states to other outside universe states, this entire
river of activity taking place along a higher dimension that remains inherently inaccessible
to us and our measuring instruments. Yet we know it is there because by postulating it
along with Model G, we are able to account for observable physical phenomena in a unified
manner unequaled by any attempts previously made with the standard physics approach,
string theory included.
To be able to properly understand the origin of free energy, one must first accept the reality
of the inherently unobservable transmuting ether and its higher dimensional extent. One
must also come to realize that the physical world, while seeming real and substantial to us,
is actually far from being real and substantial. As mentioned above, it is merely a
watermark, wave epiphenomena of the underlying ether. Whereas standard physics is
based on the positivist notion that only observable entities are real, one must completely
reject this view and adopt the perspective that observable entities are actually what is
figmentary and that it is the hyperdimensional ether that is the real existent. Like Neo in
the movie Matrix realizing that the physical world he was familiar with is actually just a
computer generated illusion, the matrix, and that the real world lay beyond, but hidden
from direct view, we too must make a similar shift of perspective. Although in our case,
reports from those that have seen indicate that this beyond is not a dark place, but one
that is very beautiful and sacred.


Like Platos analogy which compares us to prisoners in a cave watching shadows projected
on the wall which we take to be real events in our physical lives, we must follow the brave
who realize they are really in a cave and who turn around and see that the real world lies
beyond the opening of the cave. Like the medieval explorer, we must peer beyond the
outer boundary of the crystalline sphere, the positivist world view that modern science has
woven for us, and realize that another reality exists beyond our physical grasp.

Once we have made this shift of perspective from universe to meta-universe, the origin
of free energy becomes far easier to comprehend. The open system view of the universe
adopted in subquantum kinetics, leads to a new understanding for the origin of the physical
universe. The universe now does not come into being by some inexplicable and highly
improbable explosive event in the distant past, but comes into being gradually through a
process of continuous creation. The new physics allows for material particles to
continuously materialize throughout the universe. This negentropic process called
parthenogenesis, where a sufficiently large zero point electric potential fluctuation arising
spontaneously in space, grows in size and ultimately matures into a subatomic particle is an
example of a direct violation of the First and Second Laws. Yet this emergence process may
be easily observed and understood by computer modeling the Model G ether reaction
system (see posted simulation). The soliton particle so produced has structural
characteristics that match those found for the nucleon in particle scattering experiments.
Subquantum kinetics has coined the term genic energy to refer to the newly born energy
quantum that a subatomic particle embodies. This signifies energy that is spontaneously
generated, nonconservatively created.
This new physics paradigm also leads to the realization that within the supercritical regions
of space where galaxies spawn themselves, photons as a rule spontaneously gain energy
and continually blueshift their wavelength. This phenomenon accurately accounts for
the Pioneer effect, a photon blueshifting effect; it accounts for 72% of the earths
geothermal energy; and it accounts for the energy output of jovian planets, brown dwarfs,
and red dwarf stars, all of which lie on the same mass-luminosity relation. It also explains
the enormous energy output from novae, supernova explosions, and galactic core
explosions. Even upper main sequence stars that are run primarily on fusion energy, bring
into being more matter through nonconservative parthenogenesis than they burn through
energy conserving fusion reactions. So even for such stars, it can be said that genic energy
reigns supreme. By the way, when the astrophysics Nobel Laureate Hans Bethe reviewed
the photon blueshifting idea predicted by subquantum kinetics, his comment was that it was
a very original idea and that there might be some truth to it.
So in overview, we find that, as a rule, most energy in the universe is being generated
through nonconservative energy generation processes. Free energy is not the exception,
but the rule! Only in intergalactic space, where the ether reactions are predicted to be
subcritical, is energy spontaneously lost from the universe, again this is a nonconservative
process, but one causing energy loss rather than energy gain. This tired-light
phenomenon accounts for why photons traveling through intergalactic space tend to lose
energy and redshift, producing the observed cosmological redshift.
Inventors of overunity energy devices, it seems, have learned a way to generate genic
energy, what Nature does all the time, but at a far faster rate. The rate of genic energy
generation production in photons traveling in the Earths vicinity is so slow that one must
allow a test signal to travel many astronomical units of distance before a frequency shift
large enough can be detected. Inventors, on the other hand, by astutely observing nature
and following their intuition have succeeded in far surpassing Nature in terms of the rate of
genic energy generation. Like Nature, the excess energy may ultimately be traced to the
Prime Mover that animates the universe and gives us the sense of the flow of time, the vast
reservoir of ever-present transmutive etheric activity that fills all space. Thus overunity
devices require no fuel, no pre-existing energic physical structure to break down or oxidize
to produce their energy. Their energy is nascent, genic energy.
Even conservative energy generation processes, such as solar, fossil fuel, or nuclear energy
generation, may be considered ultimately to be forms of genic energy generation. For if
one traces how that light, coal, wood, or uranium came into being, one ultimately realizes
that the matter burning in the Sun, or built up in the core of a blue giant star or in
supernova explosion ultimately came about through natural processes which are
predominantly of a nonconservative genic-energy-generation nature.
The finding that overunity devices violate the first law of thermodynamics is no longer
inexplicable in the open system universe perspective. The conventional physicist, operating
in his closed system universe view, would object to those adopting the open system
perspective. They might feel that to do so is not fair, that to do so one is attempting to
avoid the first law of thermodyanamics by changing the rules of the game, that adopting the
open system universe view is too easy a way to escape their objection. But who said that
things have to be complicated.
Model G of subquantum kinetics postulates just five ether reaction-diffusion kinetic
equations (which are expressed as three partial differential equations) and from this derives
far more than most physics theories put together. This reactive ether approach was not
originally developed as a way of explaining where overunity devices get their excess
energy. It was developed because the soliton-like wave structures it gives birth to have
properties very similar to subatomic particles. Its ability to serve as a framework for
understanding over-unity devices emerges as a bonus. Another advantage is that it offers a
reasonable and cogent explanation of how all matter and energy filling the universe initially
came into being.

Some Examples of Free Energy Technologies
Let us discuss a few examples of overunity energy generators or propulsion devices.
Magnetic motors. The Engel permanent magnetic motor, reported on in a news article by
Sepp Hasslberger, is a rotary device that has been observed to run continuously for seven
months with only a small input of 70 milliwatts needed to operate its speed controlling disc,
this being said to be a small fraction of the motors total rotary power. No power output
figures for the motor, however, have been mentioned.
In explaining the origin of the motors excess energy, we might focus on the neodymium
iron boron magnets which provide the motive force to keep the motor spinning. The
magnetic field in the permanent magnets can be traced to the magnetic moment of
unpaired electrons in the magnets material. This further leads to the question of what
powers the spin of an electron, spin being responsible for its magnetic moment. Standard
physics provides no answer and simply claims that spin is an inherent property of electrons.
Subquantum kinetics, however, interprets spin as a vortical motion of the X and Y ethers
and attributes this vortical motion to the consumption of Y etherons and production of X
etherons in the electrons core. The radial flow of Y into the electrons core is hypothesized
to create a vortical movement, although this must be checked out through future computer
simulations of Model G. These ether consumptions and productions in the particles core
ultimately arise as a result of the underlying etheric transmutative flux. So, the origin of
electron spin and magnetic moment may ultimately be traced to the underlying etheric
flux. Hence the Engel magnetic motor may be said to derive its energy from this
transmutive flux.
It is no use to think of this flux in terms of energy terms since energy (i.e., energy quanta,
gravitational potential energy, electrical potential energy, etc.) has meaning only at the
physical level. At the subquantum etheric level we need other concepts to describe what
drives these reactions forward. Love maybe? An inherent need to react? Or perhaps we
should invent a term less anthropomorphic like subquantum action.
Magnetic prime movers. One example of this is the Nassikas thruster. This is a hollow
conical superconductor that has a permanent magnet fixed at its narrow end whose field is
axially aligned with the nozzles throat axis. When in the superconducting state, the nozzle
acts as a magnetic shield and Meissner effect forces propel the nozzle and magnet assembly
in the direction of the nozzles convergence. Such movement violates both the first law of
thermodynamics and Newtons third law, sending standard physics into turmoil. Unlike a
rocket, this device creates a forward reaction force without a reaction force. More will be
written about this thruster in a separate posting.
Again, as in the case of the magnetic motor, we may trace the source of this propellentless
thruster to the electron spin phenomenon that produces the magnets field. This, in turn, is
causally related to the activity of the etheric transmutative flux. The excess energy, then,
may be identified as a form of genic energy. The exhibited violation of the law of energy
conservation becomes a non-issue when we view the universe as an open system.
Spark discharge energy generators. One example of this is the Papp engine. This is a
sealed cylinder engine that uses noble gases as its working fluid. Spark discharges within
the cylinders cause gas expansion which produces work having a greater energy content
than the energy inputted to make the spark. Do not believe the Wikipedia account of this
technology. The amateurs writing it give a distorted story. It was the skeptical physicist
Richard Feynman who pulled the plug on the device even when instructed not to for safety
reasons. The result was that this caused the device to explode and as a result one innocent
bystander was killed. Overunity devices can operate safely provided that the ignorant are
not around to meddle in their operation. Another technology that may fit in this category is
autogenous Pulsed Plasma Abnormal Glow Discharge (aPPAGD). This has achieved mean
coefficient of performance of 400% to 600%.
Experiments on spark discharges independently conducted by physicists Panos Pappas and
Peter Graneau have shown that a spark produces more output heat energy than the energy
inputted to create the spark. Pappas has proposed that all natural lightning discharges are
inherently overunity. He has suggested that the excess energy can be explained by Ampere
forces. During a spark discharge, the high velocity electrons making up the spark are
compressed together by Ampere electrodynamic forces which are velocity dependent and
which at high velocity overcome the electrons repulsive Coulomb force. Upon striking the
cathode, the electrons come to an abrupt halt, resulting in a disappearance of the
compressive Ampere forces with the result that electron repulsion dominates causing an
explosion. He theorizes that the excess energy outputted likely comes from this Coulomb
repulsion, the compressive Ampere forces having drawn little or no energy from the
discharge.
Again, as with other overunity technologies, devices deriving energy from spark discharges
are completely permissible within the open system physics of subquantum kinetics. The
Ampere force law requires the existence of an absolute local rest frame supports the notion
that fields are formed in an ether and hence must be referenced to the local ether frame. It
is preferred over the Biot-Savart law which requires relative frames considering the many
documented experiments that have disproven special relativity. Subquantum kinetics adopts
the Amperian paradigm. Again, realizing that fields are essentially concentration patterns in
an underlying ether, watermarks on the sheet of paper, energy gains as a result of field
actions are allowed. Nothing needs to be consumed to produce the sparks excess energy;
this energy is genic in origin.
Zero-point energy rectifiers. One example of such a device is the Johnson diode, a zero-
bias diode that is able to rectify a current from random thermal energy including zero-point
energy. A good review of this device is given by Tom Valone in his paper on the Zero Point
Energy Diode Project. Although each diode produces on the order of picowatts of power,
nanoscale 3D arrays imprinted with trillions of these diodes could result in power levels that
have commercial application. These diodes exhibit a violation of the second law of
thermodynamics in that they allow energy to be spontaneously created from ambient heat,
an instance of entropy decrease, of Maxwells demons being brought to reality. Whether
they derive their energy from ambient thermal energy, which ultimately is of stellar origin,
or from the zero-point energy continuum itself, in both cases these energy sources are
powered by the underlying etheric flux that sustains and activates the physical universe.
Asymmetric capacitor prime movers. Examples of such devices include Townsend Browns
flying disc and the Lafforgue capacitor. Browns flying disc carousel demonstration has been
reproduced by several researchers (see news item). Following security leaks in the early
90s, I came to realize that the B-2 bomber utilizes Townsend Browns asymmetrical
capacitor electrogravitic propulsion technology; see the book Secrets of Antigravity
Propulsion. The B-2 is estimated to energize its air frame with millions of volts and achieve
completely fuelless propulsion by producing far more kinetic energy than it expends in
charging its wing. By using air scoops to reclaim some of this kinetic energy as high voltage
electrical power, it is able to completely power itself on the free energy it creates. Here we
use the term free energy in the colloquial sense as opposed to the meaning of the word
used in the formal thermodynamics.
Laboratory tests assessing the vertical lift capability of a modified version of Browns
asymmetrical capacitor disc under high vacuum conditions demonstrated its overunity
performance. A disc weighing 100 grams and energized with 250,000 volts DC was able to
produce a propulsion force of 1.1 Newtons with a power expenditure of just 0.5 watts. Left
free to accelerate in space, after 10 seconds such a disc would have traveled 550 meters
and performed a work output amounting to 6 X 10
9
ergs while expending just 5 X
10
7
ergs of electrical energy. Hence the disc was capable of producing 120 times more
kinetic energy than the equivalent electrical energy it consumed.
Analysis of the electric field geometry around Browns discs, as well as that around the B-2
bomber wing indicates that the rear electrode will experience a forward propelling force
greater than the backward directed force experienced by the disc or aircrafts leading edge.
This is attributable to the divergent character of the electric field which fans out to a low
intensity at the crafts larger, leading edge electrode. Since the electric field is not attached
to the charges on the disc or wing, but rather resides in the surrounding ether, these
unbalanced forces are able to propel the disc or aircraft forward relative to its instantaneous
rest frame. This is a reactionless propulsion that violates both Newtons third law and the
first law of thermodynamics. In the case of flight in the air, rather than in vacuum
environments, repulsive electrostatic forces which the trailing emitted ions exert on the disc
or wing also aid in propelling the disc or craft forward. Since a gravitational force
automatically accompanies the electric field, electrogravitic forces also play a role in this
overunity propulsion.
So again we find that field interactions are responsible for the excess energy generated by
this technology. As in the other technologies, we may say that this energy is spontaneously
generated, hence genic energy. Keep in mind that the physical universe is a minor
epiphenomenon on the surface of the higher dimensional ether. The highest field potential
energy or gamma ray photon energy that can practically be imagined would result in a
change of the X or Y ether concentration values that is millions of times smaller than the
absolute value of those ether concentrations. So all overunity energy phenomena that
happen in our physical world are still small potatoes compared to the activity that proceeds
down under.
Gravity impulse beam. By discharging 2 million volts of charge through a 10 centimeter
diameter superconductor disc to a cathode, Russian inventor/physicist Eugene Podkletnov
has produced a beam-like gravity impulse wave that has been found to exert its repulsive
effects over hundreds of kilometers distance. When one adds up the kinetic energy
produced by the gravity impulse acting over its 200 kilometer distance of travel, one finds
that it exceeds by many, many orders of magnitude the million joules of electric power
initially consumed to create the pulse.
The electrostatic pendulum research of Townsend Brown has shown that electrostatic
potentials do produce gravitational effects, a finding predicted by subquantum kinetics. In
Podkletnovs device, the electron carriers of the pulse stop at the cathode, but the
gravitational wave that was traveling along with the discharge keeps on going. Here again,
we find that when properly deployed, electric and gravitational fields can be made to
generate enormous energy outputs.

This brief analysis fails to cover the many overunity technologies, such as hydrogen gas
generation, inertial propulsion, and many others that are today being developed in the
research laboratory and marketplace. Nevertheless the underlying message for all
overunity technologies is that their violation of the energy conservation law is something
that is not at all surprising once we realize that we live in a physical world that functions as
an open system. In fact these overunity technologies that are becoming almost an
everyday occurrence in our rapidly changing world should be regarded as evidence that we
do in fact live in an open universe.
http://starburstfound.org/reality-overunity-generators-evidence-open-system-universe/3/
This is in celebration of Earth Day and the groups National Day of Action against Coal.
300-strong climate activists and anti-coal advocates stormed the Department of Energy to voice
out their opposition to coal mines and coal-fired power plants promoted by the government and
to launch the groups Campaign Against Dirty Energy and for Peoples Access to Safe,
Renewable and Democratic Energy Alternatives.

Led by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), the groups brought body bags, gas
masks and paper-made Philippine Cockatoos wearing masks to avoid the pollution from coal
and highlighted how coal damages not only the environment and biodiversity but our lives,
literally taking lives -, thus, the statement: COAL KILLS.

COAL KILLSWhy is coal dirty, toxic

Gerry Arances, national coordinator of PMCJ explained: The promotion of coal as a major
source of energy of Filipino communities is not the right solution to the alleged power crisis in
several parts of the country. First of all, coal emits a large amount of heavy metals such as
mercury and arsenic contaminating our waters; generates 500 tons of small airborne particles
which cause asthma, bronchitis, and aggravate heart disease; coal ash disposal poses a very
high risk of causing cancer to those exposed.

Second, coal plant emissions in surrounding areas kill the livelihoods of host communities as
the studies in coal plants in Masinloc, Zambales, and Naga, Cebu, among others, have clearly
shown.

Third, coal burning is the major cause of global warming and further promoting it will aggravate
the climate crisis that we are facing now. This I believe is a greater damage to the present and
future generations who will have to suffer the intensified impacts of climate change.

RESIST COALIncreasing local opposition to coal

Two of the major proposed projects now include the coal plants in Cebu and Palawan.

In Cebu, ash samples tested from a coal plants in Naga, Cebu, revealed presence of heavy
metals such as mercury and arsenic (carcinogen),both hazardous substances. Despite this,
more projects are still underway. Naga is home to two coal plants.

Health records in Naga for 2009-2012 reveal cancer as one if not the leading cause of mortality
incidence in the area. Though could not be directly linked to the coal plant operations, that its
incidence in Naga is higher than national averages should be sufficient basis for alarm. While
we debate as to whether or not coal is the culprit for the deaths, cancer-related deaths in the
area continue to rise, said Atty. Aaron Pedrosa of Sanlakas.

The same could be said of communities in Toledo City, Cebu where another coal plant
operates. But instead of addressing the health concerns and conducting a probe into the
situation, the government intends to put up another plant in the province, Pedrosa added.

Cancer is among the many diseases that could be attributed to continued exposure to coal
combustion wastes

Also threatened by coal projects is our Last Frontier, Palawanwhere a 15MW coal-fired power
plant project is being proposed to respond to a projected looming power shortage in the
province. Environmentalists and conservationists in the province are strongly opposing as the
plant is to be set up 1.5-kilometers away from Rasa Island, home to the critically endangered
Philippine Cockatoo.

Katherine Leuch of Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy asserts that The superficial cheapness
of coal should not be the only consideration for allowing a coal-fired power plant in Palawan
because the risks of such far outweighs the benefits given that Palawan is an ecologically rich
and sensitive province. The negative effect of coal is as dark as it is.

What is saddening is that based on our study the projected power shortage is unfounded. It is
mainly due to distribution problems and not because of the existing supply. Palawan can also
provide cleaner and safer alternatives like mini hydro, and other renewable energy sources.

RE-ENERGIZE ALLShift to REnewable, sustainable energy for all Filipino communities

The Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2008-2030 reveals that coal production will continue to
escalate. From 39 coal operating contracts (COCs) in 2007, there are now 76 COCs16 of
which were awarded - last February by the government.

Arances concluded: The PEPs massive promotion of coal-based power is alarming and is a
major cause of concern for our fragile ecosystem and the Philippine population. - Coal is far
from the best or even good solution to our power crisis.

Studies show that the countrys potential renewable energy can provide as high as more than
200,000 MW even without tapping solar power. It is about time that we look at this and do away
with large-scale, dirty and environmentally-destructive projects.

If the government is as serious about using renewable energy as it claims, it had best do away
with contradictory policies. Government needs to revise its Philippine Energy Plan to ensure that
vulnerable communities stop suffering from the harmful effects of coal; start investing in RE
sources to make clean power accessible and affordable to our people.

Local actions against coal

Anti-coal groups in host communities also led different information-awareness campaign
activities locally, including Cebu City, Davao City, General Santos City, Palawan, Bataan, Leyte,
and Quezon.

In Cebu, around 100 activists dumped coal on a life-size map of the Philippines symbolizing the
government's rabid promotion of carbon-intensive technology and activities treating its adverse
effects on the community's health, ecosystem and livelihoods as collateral damage.

Last Sunday, April 21, Suportado Movement and PMCJ also organized a Bike Tour para sa
Abot Kayang REnewable Energy in Marikina, also in celebration of Earth Day.

In Palawan, advocates from Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE) installed streamers and
COAL KILLS posters around Puerto Princesa, while in Panacan, Narra, Palawan several dirty
coal educational activities were held Members of PACE also campaigned via local radio and a
local forum the call against coal and opposition to the proposed coal plant in Narra, Palawan.
INFOGRAPHIC: Top power players in the Philippines
San Miguel leads the biggest privately-controlled power producers in the country

MANILA, Philippines - The cost of generating electricity from different energy sources is
the single biggest item in most of Philippine consumers electricity bill, at 50% to 60%.
This has propelled the cost of electricity in the country to over P8 kilowatts per hour, one
of the most expensive rates in Asia.
This infograph shows the key private sector players generating the electricity that
retailers sell to end-users, such as households, offices and factories.
Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. is the biggest producer, accounting for 22%
of the total sold to the grid, based on their aggregate share of power produced in plants
they own or partly own ("attributable capacity" in industry jargon). Even if the group's
unit, SMC Global Power, sold the 620-megawatt (MW) Limay Combined Cycle plant in
2011, its 2,545 megawatt (MW) attributable capacity has eclipsed prominent business
clan, Aboitiz, which comes second at 20% (2,350MW), and the Lopez group third with
18% (2,150 MW).
However, in terms of capacity of all existing power plants -- old, depreciated, or still fully
efficient -- the Aboitiz group still rules. Aboitiz remains the biggest power producer
based on "installed" capacity of 3,426 MW, accounting for 21% of total power sold to the
grid. Aboitiz Power also runs several independent power players (IPP) that sell to state-
run National Power Corporation (Napocor).
The Lopezes, long identified with the power industry, has the greenest portfolio with its
plants sourcing energy mostly from geothermal and natural gas. Lopez-led Energy
Development Corp., is the largest producer of geothermal energy in the Philippines and
the largest IPP in Visayas with 43.3% share.
Over the past decade, the Philippine government actively privatized current power
plants and enticed investors to build additional ones to address lack of capacity,
insufficient reserve margins, and the resulting spikes in spot prices.
New players have emerged, including Global Power Corp. of Metrobanks George Ty
that have power plants in Visayas accounting for 12.3% of total. Other smaller new
entrants in this capital-intensive industry include the Consunjis via SEM-CALACA Power
Corp. (3.7%) and Millenium Holdings (3.8%), which now controls the Limay plant. Some
major Philippine business groups are joining the fray, including the Ayala and Sy
groups, which have sealed partnerships.
Several prominent foreign players include American firm AES that won the bid for
Masinloc power plant in Zambales (3.9% of total), Thai firm EGCO International Co. Ltd.
(3.2%), and Singapores Salcon Power Corp (SPC) (3.8%). Korean firm KEPCO has
several partnerships with existing players, while Japanese firm Team Energy has IPPs
with over 2,000MW capacity.
Government-owned plants in Mindanao, Palawan, Batanes and other island regions,
which are off the grid, remain dependent on power generated by the plants owned and
IPPs commissioned by Napocor. In effect, the state, which used to monopolize power
generation, now accounts for only 8% (1,356MW) nationwide and the IPPs 18%
(2,893MW).
Coal remains the countrys main energy source (30.4% of total), followed by hydro
(21.6%), diesel (18.5%), natural gas (17.7%) and geothermal (11%). Visayas relies
more on geothermal plants (41%) while over half of Mindanao power supply is derived
from hydro plants.
These 2011 data were sourced primarily from the Energy Regulatory Commission,
Department of Energy and the featured business groups corporate websites. -
Rappler.com
http://www.rappler.com/rich-media/14729-infographic-top-power-players-in-the-philippines

he fight against coal has always been a battle between David and Goliath. Stories from host
communities themselves can attest to the fact that power, authority and deception are the tactics
used to coerce people into accepting coal projects.
Energy is a burgeoning problem for the Philippines therefore the only way to address it is thru coal
energy a line that is often repeated by the Department of Energy.
The premise may be correct but the conclusion is absolutely wrong. The Philippines is rich in
renewable energy. We need not look far or dig deep for coal when we have renewable energy whose
fuel is virtually free and limitless.
Last August 23, Greenpeace along with anti-coal
communities from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came together in a National Anti-Coal Summit to
raise their opposition to coal, reassert their rights to a safe and healthy environment, and to demand
that the government reverse all coal projects immediately. This initiative saw the formation of a
Nationwide Anti-Coal Network, the Anti COALition and the signing of the Anti-Coal Manifesto.
Coal is not cheap
The quest for energy has left our government scrambling for the cheapest option, which is coal. This
myopic view that coal is cheap is not true. It only refers to the business cost and underestimates the
construction cost, and cost overruns. Given the historic rise of the price of coal, due in large part to
the direct correlation of oil & coal prices globally, we run the risk of putting ourselves hostage to price
volatility.
The failure to assign a risk factor for coal-fired power plants where it is economically flawed shows
that government as well as power producers have failed to understand the economic realities of coal
energy. As the cost of finite fossil fuels continues to increase, renewable energy is becoming more
competitive in an increasing range of circumstances & countries.
In developed countries, coal projects are quickly being cancelled and abandoned, as the upside-down
economic model for coal-fired power has clearly been proven untenable. It has become clear that coal
economics is deteriorating.
True Cost of Coal
From mining, burning to disposal of coal, every link in the chain of
custody causes irreparable damage to people and the planet. The true cost of coal, which is not
included in the accounting ledger or business cost model of coal proponents, include climate change,
toxic pollution, destroyed livelihoods, displaced communities, health effects on the respiratory and
nervous systems, acid rain, smog pollution, water scarcity and reduced agricultural yields.
At the centre of it all, bearing the brunt of the impacts and the costs are the host communities the
marginalized sections of society who live near power plants that are affected.
Communities from existing coal-fired power plants in the Philippines have seen the dire effects of coal.
In the beginning, coal proponents come in as bearers of hope with promises of employment and a
better life. However, apart from the basketball courts, barangay clinics and fiestas that they sponsor,
they leave nothing but devastation and destruction in their wake.
Greenpeace conducted a study on fly ash from 5 coal-fired power plants in the Philippines. The results
show the presence of toxic elements such as aresnic, chromium, lead & mercury that can cause
poisoning, cancer, neurotoxicity and developmental effects in the fetus.
It may sound cold-hearted to weigh a human beings life against the cost of a product, even one as
valuable as electricity but that is what it all boils down to. The pollution and irreparable damage
from coal-fired power plants impose significant social costs that far outweigh the retail value of the
electricity from coal.
Coal Lock-in
These coal plants would lock the Philippines into three to four decades of reliance on this dirty and
harmful fossil fuel. Coal contravenes the Renewable Energy Law. Every coal power plant built prevents
renewable energy projects from taking off, with coal taking over the demand in the market that could
otherwise have been supplied by RE.
DOE has said that RE will be mainstreamed only by 2017. Why wait until 2017 when these can be
developed and harnessed today? By then, coal projects wouldve locked us to a lifetime of coal,
thereby edging out opportunity for renewable energy to flourish.
COAL = CLIMATE CHANGE
Coal fired power plants are the biggest source of man-made CO2 emissions, making coal energy the
single greatest threat facing our climate.
In 2011, the Philippines topped the list of most disaster prone countries in the world, following the
weather-related calamities which claimed over 3,000 lives, affected 15.3 million Filipinos, and resulted
in economic losses of over 26 billion pesos. It is a narrative that we have all become familiar with
what we are experiencing now is the new normal.
The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable yet least prepared to deal with the anticipated and
escalating impacts of climate change the greatest humanitarian and environmental threat the world
faces today.
While it is true that the industrialized countries have the greatest share of responsibility to avert the
climate crisis, it should not be construed as an excuse for developing countries to continue mimicking
the destructive path that is pushing the climate to a tipping point the world may never recover from.
Go Renewable
For the Philippines, Greenpeace sees a target of 50% RE by 2020. It is ambitious but realistic. This is
a golden opportunity for the government, particularly the Department of Energy, to implement and
enforce the Renewable Energy Law. It is also the main agency responsible for translating the vision of
the National Renewable Energy Plan into reality.
President Aquino, who has committed to phase out of coal and the immediate implementation of the
Renewable Energy Law, said that renewable energy will fuel our future. The decisions being made by
Energy Secretary Almendras must be mindful of delivering the commitment made by the President. If
he cannot implement the RE Law and phase out coal, then he is doing a disservice not only to the
President, but to the Filipino people who are his bosses. As a public servant he should be serving the
interests of the people, and not the coal industry. If he cannot be held accountable to uphold the
interests of the Filipino people, then he must make way for a visionary leader who will make this
sustainable future possible for the Philippines.

http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/ph/News/greenpeace-philippine-blog/how-do-you-solve-a-
problem-like-coal/blog/42039/