Here is the article I wrote about Patagonia Sin Represas ...
UNCERTAIN FUTURE OF PATAGONIA
Interview with Juan Pablo Orrego, a representative of the Patagonia Defense Council, on the occasion of his visit to Italy.
Recently, the Italian company Enel has become the trustee of a hydropower project in the Chilean Patagonia fiercely criticized. The project is called Hidroaysen It was developed during the years of the Pinochet dictatorship, this time for the exploitation of water in rivers is not final Chilean (and especially Patagonia) ended up in the hands of a few supporters of the regime. Environmentalists and local people have fought hard and now is awaiting a final decision.
"The project," said Juan Pablo Orrego, the Council representative for the Defense of Patagonia "is designed to produce hydropower with the construction of five dams on the Baker and Pascua Rivers, would be connected to a transmission line that would cross 2400 km , 9 regions, 74 municipalities and 14 protected areas in the state. " The tones are very clear when it defines the whole "barbaric and commodification of water, and water 'was stolen from the Chilean dictatorship." It also explains in no uncertain terms that a few times he has faced in a project that would pass on to many different interests, without looking at anyone. This idea is presented as a response to a growing need for electricity in Chile actually a little scratching 'the smooth surface of things, the patina cracks appear and the problems and the substantive reasons for this speculation. "The risks are many," the portrait that emerges is clear from the words of Orrego "seems almost incomprehensible that they are planning all this in a place where there 's a problem that seismic, volcanic, drainage of glacial lakes. As emphasized "Patagonia is a region young, very unstable, where there is a real physical problem. The area in which they can build the transmission line is also difficult to control and this may cause strong reactions on the part of indigenous peoples to the contrary for the project, as occurred in the past in similar situations. " The game mirrors the maze of finance and investment to create a vortex of times almost surreal situations. Even when you are convinced to have reached the truth, we realize that what you see is only a reflection. "The energy produced in Patagonia" thunders our interlocutor "is destined to go elsewhere, there is a project designed to meet the needs of local people but to supply the mines in the North and part of the territory of Santiago. "
The opposition of the Committee for the Defense of Patagonia in Chile is fierce, and despite the silence of the government, often trapped in power plays involving private interests, we are trying many ways. "I'm already in three separate lawsuits against aspects of the project," points out Juan Pablo Orrego "Public bodies that have issued the environmental impact study made 3000 very critical comments about it. In addition, attest to the recent polls, the majority of the Chilean population does not support him. Bringing it "continues" is in the hands to a company formed by two partners: Endesa Chile (first English and now owned by Enel) and Colbún, Chilean companies. Unpredictably the project became Italian "is his comment at point-blank" and we are beginning to give voice to the campaign here Represas Patagonia Sin. With support from CRBM (Campaign to Reform the World Bank's note) and the Foundation of Banca Etica we could gather with representatives of trade unions who were very interested and very motivated to consider the situation. " These meetings continue meeting with representatives of social responsibility and entrepreneurial Enel, Intesa San Paolo and Unicredit. "We want seek a confrontation with them, "he concludes," to make them understand the problems inherent in this project and the dangers have been underestimated, because we want to stop it. Unions and Enel were very interested in coming to visit Chile and Patagonia. "
It seems that only those unfamiliar with these places can think of using water resources for reasons of commercial gain. Drop by drop the water of the Chileans are likely to be used indiscriminately with no respect for people, especially in those places we live.
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