Bolivia, ALBA Unplug
Transnationals
Bolivian Hydrocarbon
Minister Carlos Villegas
said Tuesday that the
gradual recovery of the
electric sector is part
of strategy boosted by
the Morales government
and the Bolivarian
Alternative for the
Peoples of the Americas
Trade Agreement (ALBA).
As an element of the
national re-foundation,
Villegas stated that the
largest control policy
of the State, present in
energy and mining
production, will also
reach the National
Electricity Company.
By designating new
electricity
superintendent Jerjes
Mercado, minister for
services and public
works until September,
Villegas highlighted the
idea of ending the
monopoly existing in
that sphere, managed by
transnational companies.
According to official
statistics, the Bolivian
electric sector is
controlled by companies
from Spain and United
States.
The executive also
announced that Bolivia
will start distributing
freely as of March 10
about 5.8 million
fluorescent light bulbs
in all homes of the main
cities.
Also included is the
energy efficiency plan
and save from 40 percent
to 45 percent of energy
at homes, according to
the Hydrocarbon
Ministry.
The change will begin in
distant neighbor La Paz,
El Alto, Cochabamba and
Santa Cruz cities. |
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