Energy for What? And, for Whom?
"Our studies show that companies consuming large quantities of energy who export materials like aluminum, steel, cellulose, and paper are increasing their energy consumption. These companies already consume one-sixth of Brazil's electricity supply. This increase in energy intensity per unit of production runs against global trends."
Bermann then reflected "but what concerns me even more is the demonization of the environmental question by the energy planners - the inference that environmentalists and social movements are obstacles to the country's development".
Carlos Vainer, of the Urban and Regional Planning Research Institute blasted what he termed "the authoritarian nature of Brazil's energy planning". Citing from the text, he said that 16 energy companies, in addition to energy distribution companies were the only ones consulted in the preparation of the 2017 Plan. "The Plan is merely an attempt to legitimize decisions that have already been taken. It does not address in any way the effects of the global economic crisis. It's one thing to want to continue to expand the country's energy infrastructure, but the planners need to also consider the implications of doing so. Instead of seeking only to attend the demands of the market, they also need to think about what Brazilian society wants. Brazil is increasing its production of energy and in the process exporting the well-being of its people to the countries of the "center". This is taking place via the use of public resources - not only financing from BNDES (Brazil's National Development Bank), but also with other public resources, such as water and forests."
Marco Antonio Trierveiler, representing the Dam-Affected Peoples' Movement said "with the economic crisis, we are using less electricity today than in 2005. It's going to take awhile for consumption to return to a higher level - we need to take advantage of this opportunity. Energy must not be seen merely as a machine for making profits. Dams affect the lives of indigenous people and river bank dwellers, whose voices are not being heard. Energy has to be looked at in terms of the way that it can improve the lives of the Brazilian people".
Philip Fearnside, a researcher at the Amazon Research Institute criticized the manner in which the electric sector has attempted to downplay greenhouse emissions from dams in Brazil. "There is crushing evidence that hydroelectric dams have large methane emissions. This is in addition to the CO2 that comes from the decay of trees in the reservoir. This problem needs to be evaluated in light of the dozens of new dams being planned for the Amazon".
Just the beginnings of a dialogue on the direction that Brazil's future energy policy will take. But the arguments questioning the inevitability of the damming of the rivers of the Amazon at least are now on the table.
