September 05, 2002
Via Janet - Pablo Followup

Here's a story out on the EFE wire (a Spanish news service). The story
appeared today on www.thenewsmexico.com, where I also work. Best regards,
Janet Schwartz

No new dams without rate reductions, Chiapas governor says

EFE - 9/5/2002

TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Chiapas - The government of the southern state of Chiapas
plans to fight construction of three new hydroelectric power plants,
officials said.

Chiapas Governor Pablo Salazar Menduguchia said Tuesday the state would
oppose the project as long as the federal government and the Federal
Electricity Commission (CFE) refused to cut electric rates.

Chiapas is one of Mexico's largest power producers, but also one of the
regions with the highest electricity fees.

Thousands of hectares of land were flooded and dozens of communities were
wiped out during construction of the La Angostura, Chicoasen, Malpaso and
Peñitas dams, all part of the El Grijalva energy complex.

Construction of the new dams was part of electricity industry reform
legislation promoted by the administration of President Vicente Fox.

Salazar criticized the Fox administration for failing to consult him on the
construction of three more dams on the Usumacinta River, along the
Guatemalan border, and the CFE for attempting to justify the project as an
expansion of service and infrastructure.

He also criticized the Fox administration for making important decisions
without consulting governors of states directly affected by those
decisions.

© Copyright 2002 EFE

Posted by Dave at September 05, 2002 02:43 PM