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AES environmental impact study found inconclusive and vague

By MARIA FIALLOS

TEGUCIGALPA - In a press conference held on Thursday, representatives of a coalition of environmental groups headed by Juan Almendares (eminent scientist, noted environmentalist, and former Dean of the National Autonomous University of Honduras) expressed their concern regarding a recent technical report issued by the Ministry of Environment concerning an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) presented by AES (Applied Energy Services Inc.).

AES applied for an Environmental Permit approximately two years ago to install a "Wharf, Generation Plant, Substations, Additional Installations, and a AES Honduras transmission line" in Honduras. The natural gas burning power plant would be installed in Puerto Cortes to generate electricity. According to the opposition construction has already begun even though AES has not yet received the corresponding permits. Almendares stated that during the revision of the EIS, different sectors of civil society participated and raised objections to the manner in which the study had been conducted, but that these were not included in the final document. 

The environmental permit was not issued in December due to these objections and the Ministry of Environment then issued a Technical Report petitioning AES meet with further requirements. However, the opposition states that the project is too dangerous and should be shelved even if the company complies with all government requirements.

The technical report issued by the Ministry of Environment poses many questions including whether or not AES is a national or international company. Almendares stated that it is ridiculous that at this late date the government doesn't know. 

The company was also asked to clarify its objectives due to the fact that several studies required have not been completed, these include: air quality, plankton samples during the rainy season, archaeological, potable water quality, water recycling, marine water treatment, use of subterranean water, inventories of wild species, details concerning the installation of transmission lines, specifications of gas pipelines, etc. The EIS was also found deficient in relation to criteria and procedures related to the location and certification of resources, technical data concerning the management, transport and storage of methane, as well as the risks involved in the case of accidents and explosions. Neither was impact of chlorine, petroleum derivatives, and the change in ocean temperature on the food chain, plankton and marine ecosystems included. The opposition also states that the site of the proposed generating plant is too close to the Texaco Refinery and well as the Cortes Thermion Plant for safety.

Another objection raised by the coalition is the fact that according to the Honduran Constitution foreigners cannot buy land within 40 kilometers of the ocean. They also stated that if the project were approved, foreign capital would control the energy sector in the country as well as the region. The project was first proposed to El Salvador, but was rejected. Similar AES projects were also abandoned in San Francisco, Maine, and Florida during the past decade due to environmental concerns and citizen protest.