by Aviva
Imhof - Fuente: endcoal.org
Communities
living along central Chile’s scenic Maule coast are celebrating the collapse of
the proposal to build the Los Robles coal-fired power plant. On January 26 the
permit authorising construction of the plant expired, effectively cancelling
the project. Under Chilean law, companies have five years from the date of
approval of the environmental impact assessment to commence construction on a
project. As AES Gener, a subsidiary of giant US independent power producer AES,
had failed to commence construction on the project, their right to develop it
has expired.
In a
symbolic act, the Citizens Action for the Defense of the Maule Coast held a
vigil to celebrate the death of the Los Robles coal plant after their epic
seven-year struggle. They held a big bonfire that was fuelled by rubble
remaining from the massive 2010 earthquake and tsunami whose epicentre was
located in Maule.
Rodrigo de
la O, convenor of the Maule Itata Coastkeeper and a member of the WaterkeeperAlliance, said “for us, it’s a special day, hard to believe, but an important,
historic day without doubt. The community was organised, was active and was
emphatic in defining their own development path. Our victory is due to the importance of a
more empowered society that demands more space to advocate for their own
interests and for the preservation of our natural heritage for future
generations.”
The 750
megawatt Los Robles was first proposed
in 2007. At this time a spontaneous, diverse citizens movement was formed to
fight the project, consisting of local residents, fisherfolk, tourism
operators, local NGOs, tourists and temporary residents. The mayors of nearby
municipalities and parliamentarians also participated in the campaign to stop
the project at various times.
Forming the
Citizens Action for the Defense of the Maule Coast, the group pioneered the use
of social networks and the internet as campaign tools. They added new and
diverse voices to the campaign, produced publications, organised marches,
caravans and massive demonstrations of all types.
Forming the
Citizens Action for the Defense of the Maule Coast, the group pioneered the use
of social networks and the internet as campaign tools. They added new and
diverse voices to the campaign, produced publications, organised marches,
caravans and massive demonstrations of all types.
