Brasília, November 25, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Beginning in January, 2004, projects designed to supply energy should have an Advance Environmental Permit, in order to be approved. At a meeting last Friday (22), the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) decided to create a work group to propose regulations for the process. "This decision represents a boost to environmental policy in the electric sector," emphasized the minister of Environment, José Carlos Carvalho.

The granting of an advance environmental permit for these projects is important, in that prospective bidders on a contract will be certain of the environmental feasibility of the project prior to soliciting the concession. "The environmental costs will already be known when offers are cast, because they will have gone through the advance permit stage," he added.

The work group will have until May 31, 2003, to determine the procedures and mechanisms for these projects. (DAS)