ARGENTINIAN SENATE LIFTS VETO TO WIND ENERGY LAW

14 November 1998

Buenos Aires -- Yesterday evening the Argentinian Senate lifted the veto the Menem Administration had imposed on the Wind Energy Bill, thus allowing it to become national law as soon as the corresponding regulations are approved. For Greenpeace this is a decisive step forward in the making of a national policy for renewables.

The Wind Energy Bill had been vetoed by the Executive, in spite of a unanimous approval by the Senate and its ratification by the House of Representatives.

"This law is an essential step to put Argentina on the road towards the development of clean energy sources; it will prove that the technologies for preventing global warming are easily available and that their implementation can be made possible by political will", said Juan Carlos Villalonga, Greenpeace Argentina's Energy Campaign Coordinator.

Greenpeace has presented a plan that will allow Argentina to get 3000 MW from wind energy by 2010. This will cover 7% of the electricity demand at that time, promoting economic development and jobs creation. By Greenpeace estimates, the wind energy industry will create 15000 jobs by the year 2010.

Yesterday, in his speech to COP4 Argentinian President Carlos Menem announced that his country will soon assume a reductions commitment for the period 2008-2012. Greenpeace thinks that the Argentinian initiative will only give positive results if it means a genuine commitment to an effort for emissions mitigation.

"Wind energy will have a very important role if Argentina assumes a carbon reduction commitment that takes into account the projected emissions figures for the first decade of the next century", said Juan Carlos Villalonga.

For Greenpeace, renewables and energy efficiency must be the key factors in the Argentinian emissions reduction policy. Nuclear energy and environmentally harmful hydroelectric dams must not be included in any plan to reduce emissions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Corin Millais. Greenpeace International Renewables Campaign Tel.: +541 806 5658/8065852
- Juan Carlos Villalonga. Greenpeace Argentina Energy Campaign Mob.Phone: +541 (15) 428 0597
- Holger Roenitz. Greenpeace International Press Officer Mob.Phone: +541 (15) 423 8136