http://www.bicusa.org/en/Project.10138.aspx The latest news on the Río Madeira Complex from the Bank Information Center 10 http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif http://www.bicusa.org/en/Project.10138.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11765.aspx Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:23:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11765.aspx Despite Kayapo protests over flawed consultation process, IBAMA has granted a preliminary license to move forward with the 11,000 MW - $20 billion Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. Brazilian government officials have threatened the Para Public Ministry not to bring lawsuits to block the dam. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11759.aspx Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:35:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11759.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11738.aspx Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:29:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11738.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11716.aspx Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11716.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11709.aspx Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11709.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11720.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11720.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11721.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11721.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11729.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11729.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11718.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11718.aspx El complejo del Rio Madeira es un emprendimiento prioritario dentro de la iniciativa IIRSA y el Plan de Aceleramiento del Desarrollo (PAC) del gobierno brasilero. El complejo del río Madeira en los planes de infraestructura http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11719.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11719.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11717.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11717.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11711.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11711.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11710.aspx Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11710.aspx Straddling one the Amazon's main tributaries and flanked by dense jungle, a construction pit the size of a small town bustles with bulldozers and nearly 10,000 workers blasting huge slabs of rock off the river bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11690.aspx Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:42:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11690.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11676.aspx Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:03:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11676.aspx Public money in Brazil is being used by the state development bank to finance deforestation projects and others that trample rights, concentrate wealth, and encourage "imperialist" expansion of large national companies, according to activists at a three-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11665.aspx Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:48:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11665.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11660.aspx Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:49:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11660.aspx The Bolivian state intends to recover its dominant role in the electricity sector through the execution of 13 large and medium size energy generation projects through the national Electricity Company (ENDE) with a planned investment of between $ 5.5 and 6 billion. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11657.aspx Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:28:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11657.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11656.aspx Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:17:31 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11656.aspx AIDA, International Rivers, and IMDEC present evidence of human rights violations from dams. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11626.aspx Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:14:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11626.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11624.aspx Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:04:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11624.aspx On June 5th, the Legislative Assembly of Rondônia convened a public hearing to seek alternatives for expediting resources amounting to approximately one billion reais, to be applied works directly on the federal highways in Rondônia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11576.aspx Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:43:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11576.aspx According to specialists, the unprecedented energy inefficiency of the project and the accelerated public hearing process demonstrate that the government and contractors will push for a large project at any cost. The Panel of Specialists warned the government and public about this grave mistake, whose real costs are unknown and whose environmental impact studies are incomplete. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11574.aspx Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:17:31 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11574.aspx The country plans to triple installed capacity with 3,290 MW of added hydroeletric power in the next 13 years in order to restrict thermoelectric power. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11571.aspx Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:40:43 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11571.aspx After work was halted for 45 days, the licensee Sustainable Energy of Brazil, in charge of building the Jirau hydroelectric project on the Madeira River, is cautious about formalizing a request for an advance schedule for the entry into operation of the plant. The president of the company, Victor Paranhos, says it is entirely possible to begin generation of the first megawatts, but fears that new strikes could delay the work further. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11570.aspx Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:34:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11570.aspx A new independent review by a panel of 40 Brazilian experts show the true costs of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Project, planned for the Xingu River in the Brazilian Amazon. The panel found that the dam would have serious consequences for the region, its inhabitants, and ecosystems of the Amazon rainforest. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11568.aspx Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:37:31 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11568.aspx According to the executive secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Isabella Teixeira, the Brazilian Institute of Environment (IBAMA) is studying a way to streamline licensing by issuing regional licenses to address the country's increasing energy demands. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11566.aspx Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:13:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11566.aspx In a joint action by the Ministry of Labor (MPT) and the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) in Rondonia, and with support from the federal police, 38 people registered in the State of Maranhão (in Parnarama) to work for Construtora BS in Jacy Paraná were rescued and have had their employment contracts terminated. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11468.aspx Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:52:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11468.aspx Jorge Molina, of the Institute of Hydraulics and Hydrology of Bolivia, during the Symposium “Sustainable Hydroelectric Development in the Amazon and the Madeira River Basin Case". He criticized the current policy of Amazon countries concerning hydroelectric activity, allowing the implementation of mega projects in areas where the social and environmental impacts outweigh the possible benefits of such projects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11457.aspx Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:14:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11457.aspx This article discusses the changing relationship between the Bank and Brazil within the context of a new $1.3 billion Development Policy Loan. It includes a review of the background and concerns associated with development policy lending since 2004, and then offers a detailed analysis of the Brazilian Sustainable Environmental Management (SEM) DPL. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11453.aspx Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:05:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11453.aspx Recent evidence suggests that there will be irreversible loss of up to 85% of the Amazon forests by 2100. Still, the prospect of Amazon die-back remains a somewhat misunderstood threat due to perceived uncertainty with the climate models, but also because of the lack of visibility by development institutions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11452.aspx Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:38:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11452.aspx On Monday morning, from 5 to 9, representatives of the Union of Construction Workers of the State of Rondônia (Sticcero) blocked the gate of the construction site of the Santo Antônio plant, causing more than three miles of line on the access road in order to promote deliberative assembly with indications of a general strike. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11426.aspx Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:19:13 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11426.aspx Waste, particularly manure, can also generate income for farmers, FAO study shows. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11421.aspx Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:47:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11421.aspx Jirau and Santo Antonio promise to cost much more than the stated financial value of their construction: deforestation, disease, damage to fish population just to name a few. These and other costs, however, will not be paid only by Brazilians; Bolivians are also facing some of the costs of this venture. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11411.aspx Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:39:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11411.aspx Brazil is building hydroelectric dams in the Amazon that some technicians and economists applaud while several environmentalists regret. It is worth the risk and investment? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11405.aspx Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:22:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11405.aspx An examination of how the hydroelectric plants of Jirau and Santo Antônio will impact the environment and the lives of Amazonian communities. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11404.aspx Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:11:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11404.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11398.aspx Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:06:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11398.aspx The first indigenous woman elected leader and educator of the people Sagarana in Rondônia, Eva Canoe, said the construction of hydroelectric dams in the Madeira river, in Rondônia, will affect at least four indigenous peoples that still live in voluntary isolation in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11369.aspx Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:18:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11369.aspx While the hydroelectric plants of Jirau and Santo Antonio in the Madeira river begin their construction, Bolivian organizations and institutes following the projects say that the negative impacts generated by the two dams will be felt not only in Brazilian territory, but also in Bolivia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11365.aspx Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:09:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11365.aspx Environmental organizations have mobilized against licensing of Santo Antônio and Jirau hydroelectric dams http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11364.aspx Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:43:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11364.aspx "Under the current" (“Bajo el caudal…”) is a report by Fobomade that details the possible impacts of the construction of two hydroelectric dams over the Madeira river on the Bolivian northern border with Brazil. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11351.aspx Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:22:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11351.aspx Groups claim that, because of the construction taking place for the Rio Madera Complex, the area's inhabitants are being forced unwillingly from their homes. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11347.aspx Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:24:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11347.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11316.aspx Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:47:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11316.aspx Civil lawsuits have been filed against Brazil’s environment institute for ignoring environmental concerns when issuing licences to allow the construction of two dams on the Amazon’s Madeira River. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11309.aspx Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:48:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11309.aspx Brazilian firm has six months to sell its 9.99% share of the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11305.aspx Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:54:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11305.aspx Numerous irregularities cited in environmental licensing process for the San Antonio & Jirau dams http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11286.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:34:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11286.aspx Crown jewel of the IIRSA project portfolio under scrutiny in Bolivia and Brazil http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11216.aspx Thu, 28 May 2009 10:41:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11216.aspx Crown Jewel of the IIRSA Project Portfolio Under Scrutiny in Bolivia and Brazil http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11215.aspx Wed, 27 May 2009 18:14:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11215.aspx Two day conference underscores the need for improvements in the quality of social, environmental and economic evaluation, as well as the search for energy alternatives. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11201.aspx Fri, 22 May 2009 13:45:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11201.aspx Unexplained revisions by the Consortium building the Jirau hydroelectric dam (part of the Rio Madeira complex) to the design of the initial project that was auctioned one year ago are expected to increase the overall project costs by 60% http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11191.aspx Thu, 21 May 2009 09:05:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11191.aspx Consultant Tecsult-Aecom along with ENDE, Bolivia's National Electricity Company, are in the final phases of the feasibility and design process for the proposed hydroelectric project, Cachuela Esperanza, which is expected to conclude in October, 2009 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11190.aspx Thu, 21 May 2009 07:26:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11190.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11136.aspx Sun, 03 May 2009 10:57:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11136.aspx In a time when the financial market is lacking credit, the fund for investment in infrastructure which derives its resources from the FGTS (FI-FGTS) will contribute R$ 1,640 billion in financing to the construction of the San Antonio hydroelectric plant in the Madeira river, and become a shareholder of the consortium. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11119.aspx Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:35:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11119.aspx Santander sold half of its shares in the consortium building the San Antonio Hydroelectric Plant in the Madeira River to the FI-FGTS (Investment Fund FGTS) http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11118.aspx Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:05:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11118.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11102.aspx Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:07:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11102.aspx Bolivians worry about potential flooding and health problems that will result from two dams which are part of the Rio Madeira project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11078.aspx Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:06:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11078.aspx Both Bolivians and Brazilians do not agree with the privatization of the Rio Madeira. For different reasons but the same objective, the Bolivians and Brazilians join forces to oppose the privatization. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11077.aspx Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:52:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11077.aspx Bolivians fear negative impacts from two dams (part of the Rio Madeira) in Bolivian territory. The Brazilian Minister, Celso Amorim assures the Bolivian government that the construction of the dams will not have these negative impacts. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11076.aspx Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:34:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11076.aspx For only the last two years has the Bolivian government paid attention to the impacts of dams in indigenous territory. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11074.aspx Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:17:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11074.aspx Several organizations and social networks have asked the World Bank to postpone a decision on a $1.3 billion project in Brazil. The groups argue that prior loans have not adequately addressed environmental concerns and that the pending project-loan has the potential to continue this trend. Moreover, the groups see attractive alternatives. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11059.aspx Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11059.aspx Brazil's national development bank BNDES has approved 7.2bn reais (US$3.1bn) in financing to build the 3.3GW Jirau hydro plant, the bank said in a statement. Jirau is one of two mega hydro projects on the Madeira river in Rondônia state that will be connected to the national grid. The loan will go to the ESBR consortium and includes support for the transmission system that will link the plant to the city of Porto Velho, according to the statement. The financing, which will cover 68.5% of the required investment, is one of the largest loans ever granted by the bank for a single project. In December 2008, BNDES authorized 6.1bn reais in funding for the 3.15GW Santo Antônio hydro project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11048.aspx Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:23:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11048.aspx The state of Rondonia, Brazil is subject to ongoing land conflicts between large land owners, small farmers and the state. The proposed hydroelectric dams on the Madeira River and the promise of jobs will only accelerate uncontrolled migration to the region. Weak governance results in frequent, violent confrontations over natural resource use. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11013.aspx Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:32:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11013.aspx The Madeira Energy S/A (Mesa) business consortium, responsible for the construction of the Santo Antônio 3,100 MW hydroelectric dam, the first of several mega-dams planned for the Madeira in the Brazilian state of Rondônia, was fined R$ 7,7 million ($US 3.3 million) by the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Ibama) as a penalty for their responsibility in the ecological accidente that resulted in the death of 11 tons of fish. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11003.aspx Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:49:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11003.aspx The October meeting between the Brazilian and Bolivian bilerateral technical commission on the Madeira Hydroelectric Dam and related projects focused on new technical research related to the cross-border health effects of the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11000.aspx Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:37:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11000.aspx The launching will take place on June 25th in Porto Velho, Brazil. There will be a roundtable with experts and affected communities who will share the conclusions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10853.aspx Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10853.aspx River diversion work for the Estreito project in Brazil has been stopped by a court in Maranhao state but the rest of the construction activity is unaffected, IWP&DC has learned. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10850.aspx Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10850.aspx The Consórcio Energia Sustentável do Brasil (CESB) group led by France's Suez has presented the winning bid to build and operate Brazil's 3.3GW Jirau hydro plant on the Madeira river. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10827.aspx Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10827.aspx Marina Silva's resignation is linked to her opposition to many of the major megaprojects planned and underway in the Brazilian Amazon, including two large hydroelectric dams on the Madeira River http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10813.aspx Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10813.aspx Terna SpA CEO Flavio Cattaneo said the group will take part in at least three bids for grid operations in Brazil in 2008. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10694.aspx Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10694.aspx Começou por volta das 12h35 o leilão da hidrelétrica de Santo Antônio, no Rio Madeira (RO), organizado na sede da Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (Aneel), em Brasília. Na primeira etapa, os investidores farão uma proposta única para o preço da energia que será produzida pela usina. Nenhum dos três consórcios inscritos terá como saber qual foi o lance oferecido pelos demais interessados. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10616.aspx Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10616.aspx With the auction for the Rio Madeira Project approaching, civil society is accelerating campaigns against the dams. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10602.aspx Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10602.aspx The National Report plans a mission to Rondonia to investigate the human rights violations from the Madeira Complex. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10546.aspx Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10546.aspx Study by Amigos da Terra warns investors: Methodology is based on credit rating agencies approach. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10504.aspx Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10504.aspx Brazil’s Mines and Energy Minister Nelson Hubner announced Wednesday that the auction of the rights to build Madeira’s Santo Antonio power plant will be delayed until November 29th according to Estado new agency. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10496.aspx Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10496.aspx The Amazon region is endangered of disappearing as vast areas of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay are wrapped in smoke. Roberto Smeraldi, from Friends of the Earth Brazil, said the current situation was out of control. He was very clear as to who is to blame “…they are mainly the results of expanding cattle ranching.” http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10468.aspx Mon, 08 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10468.aspx Thanks partly to ethanol from sugar cane, Brazil aims to be an energy superpower. But can it keep its own lights on? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10368.aspx Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10368.aspx Brazil's mines and energy ministry (MME) has scheduled for October 30 the auction to build and operate the 3.15GW Santo Antônio hydroelectric plant, MME said on its website. Santo Antônio will start selling power in 2012, MME said. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10362.aspx Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10362.aspx Rural conflicts over water will likely increase in the next few years due to hydro infrastructure projects within the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10329.aspx Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10329.aspx Dispute between the Camargo Corrêa and Norberto Odebrecht construction companies over the hydroelectric plants leads to heated exchanges of accusations and puts pressure on government institutions http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10309.aspx Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10309.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10292.aspx Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10292.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10293.aspx Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10293.aspx Suez SA, Europe's fifth largest electricity producer, plans to bid on rights to build hydroelectric dams in Brazil's Amazon region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10285.aspx Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10285.aspx In recent weeks, the Brazilian government has turned to the difficult task of building giant hydroelectric dams in the Amazon River. The project presents President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with a major contradiction—between his ambitious economic development plan based on large-scale infrastructure, and the enormous social and environmental costs of the dams. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10249.aspx Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10249.aspx Peru and Bolivia may request an injunction in Brazilian court if there is any threat to their territories caused by projects on the Madeira River http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10325.aspx Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10325.aspx The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the state electric utility Furnas and construction conglomerate Odebrecht have drawn up plans for the most ambitious of IIRSA’s 335 projects – under which the Amazon’s principal tributary would be converted into a series of great lakes for hydroelectricity, in the process converting the rivers into a 4,200 km-long barge channel that will hasten the conversion of Amazonia into a vast soy plantation... http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10161.aspx Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:15:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10161.aspx Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sought on Wednesday to play down gas shortages in Rio de Janeiro, saying that the country's energy supplies were guaranteed until 2012. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10534.aspx Sun, 07 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10534.aspx Brazil´s Amazonian state of Rondônia is best known for the disastrous Polonoroeste colonization Project, financed by the World Bank, which accelerated the transformation of the region in the 1980’s from tropical rainforests into an environmental and social nightmare. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10025.aspx Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10025.aspx