Belize’s Supreme Court has recommended public hearings on a controversial plan by Newfoundland-based power company, Fortis, Inc., to build a 50-metre high dam in the rainforest of this tiny Central American country.
Supreme Court Ruling This Week on Controversial Canadian Dam
The Supreme Court of Belize will rule this week on a case challenging government approval of a Canadian-backed dam that would flood one of the last undisturbed river valleys in Central America.
BEL bleats while profits soar!
(November 15, 2002) BEL says it will have to raise electricity prices because of increased
costs, however, Fortis has just announced increased profits and
earnings from BEL and BECOL and revealed that Belize is proportionately
their best profit maker and income earner.
BEL threatens electricity rate hike!
(November 7, 2002) The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has
indicated to the press that it is considering approaching the Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) for an increase in electricity rates due to
a delay in building Chalillo, and rising oil prices.
PRESS RELEASE: Belize wildlife activist battles Canadian power company
Sharon Matola, the woman leading the international fight against a Canadian-backed hydro scheme in Central America’s Belize is in Toronto this week to meet with environmentalists.
An update on the Chalillo dam in Belize’s Macal River Valley
(August 23, 2002) In the last two years, we’ve made our concerns about Fortis and its federal backers heard in parliament, before the Senate, at Fortis shareholders’ meetings in St. John’s, and via the media in Belize, Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, and the United States.
No green light for Chalillo dam!
"We trust Fortis will now respect the law so that Belizeans, not Fortis, will have the last word on this dam," says Probe International’s Grainne Ryder.
PUC approves BEL’s gas turbines, while BECOL awaits Supreme Court ruling on Chalillo
(August 11, 2002) Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL), is awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling on Government’s approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the construction of the Chalillo dam.
Belize denies hydro dam OK
The Belize government denies giving Fortis permission to build a hydro dam in one of Central America’s last undisturbed rainforests.
PRESS RELEASE: Belize government disavows Canadian-backed rainforest dam
(August 8, 2002) In a dramatic turnaround, the Belize government has denied ever giving Canadian power company Fortis Inc. permission to build a controversial hydro dam in one of Central America’s last undisturbed rainforests.
New disclosures on Chalillo point to grave duplicity
(January 27, 2002) An announcement this week from the Canadian consulting firm AMEC states that AMEC has not signed a contract and does not intend to bid on the design contract for the proposed Chalillo Dam in Belize.
Fight over dam goes to Belize’s highest court
"Fortis’ conduct in Belize is an international disgrace," said Gr inne Ryder of Probe International. "Without legal actions to expose them, corporations like Fortis will never learn."
Fight over dam goes to Belize’s highest court
(July 26, 2002) A bitter fight between the Belize government and activists over a proposed dam has landed in the country’s highest court, with opponents accusing politicians of ignoring an environmental report in a bid to push the project through in secrecy.
Chalillo case opens in Supreme Court
(July 15, 2002) The legal battles surrounding the Chalillo dam continued today as the second judicial review sought by the environmental group BACONGO got underway in the Supreme Court.
PRESS RELEASE Canadian dam in Belize rainforest stalled by legal action
(July 11, 2002) Canadian power company Fortis Inc.’s controversial plan to build a hydro dam in one of Central America’s last undisturbed rainforests has been stalled due to legal action by local environmental groups.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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