Ecobreves – CHILE: Lawmakers to Investigate Energy Projects

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SANTIAGO, Jan 26 2009 (IPS) - Chile's Chamber of Deputies agreed unanimously to create an investigative committee for energy projects under way in the country and for those recently approved by the government. The committee has 60 days to carry out its investigation. On Jan. 21, 53 lawmakers requested the “investigation of the operations of the Regional Environment Commissions” and to determine if they have been in compliance with the current legislation.

Lucio Cuenca, of the Latin American Environmental Conflict Observatory, applauds the initiative, given that “there has been an accumulation of irregularities” recently. He especially criticized the approval of hydroelectric projects in national parks and reserves, which in his opinion undermines international treaties that Chile has ratified.

“It is a good opportunity for these investigative committees to show that the are worth something,” he told Tierramérica.