26.09.2008
In Minas Gerais, dam affected people block project for Small Hydroelectric Plant (PCH)

During the meeting of the Environmental Policy Council-COPAM on 22/9, in Barbacena (State of Minas Gerais), the Project of the Small Hydroelectric Plant (PCH) Cachoeira da Providência had its prior license recalled. In addition, the concession of the license of the PCH Nova Brito which was projected to be constructed on Rio Piranga, was postponed.

The project for the PCH Cachoeira da Providencia would be constructed by Energisa (whose major shareholder is Company Força e Luz Cataguases Leopoldina) in the Municipality Pedra do Anta (MG), on the Casca River. In the Public Audience of August 27, which took place in the municipality, the families affirmed that their lands were acquired with lots of work and effort and that they are now making their living there. They also denounced that Energisa used military police to intimidate and blackmail local residents.

Besides the social, PCH´s can also have serious environmental impacts. In the COPAM meeting, Professor Jorge Dergam from the Fedral University of Viçosa, warned that the PCH Nova Brito posses a serious threat for fish species like Surubim of Rio Doce (threatened with extinction) which is only surviving in the Piranga River.

According to the Coordination of MAB (Movement of Dam Affected People) “companies look at rivers and see money, while families look at rivers and see life. Therefore, families have to get organized and fight against hydroelectric plants which are projected to serve the big private capital and market and not the wellbeing of local families and the society in general”.