Costa Rica bans hydroelectric projects on 2 rivers for 25 years

[Judi Lynn]

Costa Rica bans hydroelectric projects on 2 rivers for 25 years

Published August 30, 2015/
EFE

President Luis Guillermo Solis has issued an executive order banning the development of hydroelectric power plants along Costa Rica's Pacuare and Savegre rivers for the next 25 years.

The environmental protection measure covers power projects with a generating capacity equal to or greater than 500 kilovolts to keep the rivers clean and free of barriers. The goal is to protect natural resources, such as rivers, in accordance with the 2015-2030 National Energy Plan, the executive order said.

Officials selected the Pacuare, located in the Caribbean region, and the Savegre, which flows into an estuary on the Pacific, because of their important ecosystems, environmental value, pristine condition, economic importance and social value.

"Costa Rica's development must take into account energy, environmental, economic and social factors. For the state, it is essential to manage the use of natural resources, but also their protection; therefore, it is important to make decisions that allow us to maintain this balance," Solis said in a statement.

More:
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/08/30/costa-rica-bans-hydroelectric-projects-on-2-rivers-for-25-years/

(This article originated with Spain's E.F.E. and was reprinted by Fox "News" Latino.)

Environment & Energy:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/112791085

On edit, links for photos of these beautiful rivers:

Pacuare River:
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1230&bih=628&q=Pacuare+River+Costa+Rica+&oq=Pacuare+River+Costa+Rica+&gs_l=img.12..0i30j0i5i30j0i24l2.2111.58507.0.61766.33.18.1.14.0.0.125.1645.12j6.18.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..31.2.129.ygccRGshjHM

Savegre River:
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1230&bih=628&q=Savegre+river+costa+rica&oq=Savegre+river+costa+rica&gs_l=img.12..0.2005.9383.0.12207.24.5.3.16.19.0.133.565.2j3.5.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..5.19.633.rNFf2mXP_-Q

[Liberty Belle]

1. Costa Rica is a treasure; they invest in ecotourism and restoring rainforests too.

i was there for a week in April, amazing place -so beautiful, abundant wildlife, friendly people, great place for Americans to travel and feel safe while supporting a country that actually bases its economy around preserving nature instead of destroying it.