Crucial Vote on Energy Bill in Chile

Crucial Vote on Energy Bill in ChileSantiago, Chile, May 9. -Environmental authorities in the Chilean Patagonia will vote Monday on a controversial energy mega project, strongly criticized by opposition sectors and ecology organizations.

The political situation is still tense today in Coyhaique, capital of the southern region of Ayse, where the vote on the initiative, known as Hidroaysen, takes place, implying the construction of five hydroelectric power stations in the Baker and Pascua Rivers.

There were no demonstrations in the zone by the Patagonia sin Represas movement and regional inhabitants, who are against the proposal, terming it detrimental from the environmental and cultural point of view.

Local radio stations informed of the sending of a police force contingent to Coyhaique, and of last minute statements by Energy Minister Laurence Golborne, who called for calm and for respecting decisions derived from the so-called technical institutionalism, which he said would prevail at all costs. (Prensa Latina)