Communities in the northwestern Honduras and Catholic groups have challenged the decision by Congress to grant 40 renewable energy contracts to companies they say are polluters. In a statement released Sep. 6, the Catholic Diocese of Copán and a group of Jesuit priests, as well as community and women's groups, stated that the awarding of those contracts was done behind their backs.

Karla Rivas, of the environmental campaign “Later Is Too Late,” which is also backed by the Jesuits, told Tierramérica “the concessions of rivers and watersheds benefitted economic groups that have managed thermal energy, and are responsible for most of the depredation of our natural resources.”

The previous week, the Honduran Congress approved 40 contracts to develop hydroelectric energy sources.