A Major Current Event

There are many current events happening in Chile, however this one really caught my eye.

The  HidroAysen Controversy

Enviornmentalists have recently protested a permit that would allow for the descruction of over 14,000 acres of land, including forests and farmlands, for the flooding of HidroAysen. The idea behind the Hidro plant is to prevent the ongoing problem of blackouts in Santiago, Chile, some 2400 km aways. A powerline would then run from Aysen, Chile (in the patagonia region) to Santiago. Protestors argue that this would "cut through enviornmently sensitive areas". On the flip side the country's "economy is growing at 6% a year and needs an equivalent expansion in electricity generation."

As of today, May 10th, the plans were approved by the Chilean government Commision. It will cost an estimated $7 billion.
Some repurcussions of this approval will be that several farmers and families will loose their land and jobs will be lost, natural landscape would be altered and the fragile ecosystem will be comprimised.

It will be interesting to follow the presidents approval rating after today since he appointed the commissioned.

I have attached a few articles for furthur reading:
http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wave_tidal_hydro/article253955.ece?WT.mc_id=rechargenews_

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_18029427