The government, through the Minister of the Environment, announced its opposition to the exploration, exploitation and use of geothermal resources for power generation in protected territories such as National Parks.

According to Franz Tattenbach, Minister of the Environment, the government is against Bill No. 21,244, which was presented in Congress, to allow the exploitation of geothermal energy in the protected zones such as Guanacaste National Park, Tenorio Volcano National Park and Arenal Volcano National Park.

The bill violates the regulations for the creation and protection of national parks and changes the vision of the country "that has protected natural resources with great success," Tattenbach said.

"Although the production of electrical energy is a public service to benefit the entire population, the exploitation of geothermal energy is still a business," Tattenbach said. "This opens the possibility of exploited commercially National Parks.”

Currently, the National Parks Law establishes that these protected areas allow nature conservation to provide scientific, social, cultural and economic benefits that protect the country's natural heritage.

Among the benefits of natural parks for the country are tourism, nature conservation, scientific research, public education, the conservation of historical and archaeological areas and the protection of hydrographic basins, among others, authorities said.

According to Tattenbach, in Costa Rica there is currently no need to produce more energy since there is an excess of production that is exported to Central American countries by the Institute of Electricity. "Therefore, there is no technical justification for energy extraction in national parks, since the national demand is already supplied," he said.

However, for the bill to be effective, it must first be authorized by Congress. It is expected that in the coming weeks, the deputies will approve or reject this plan.

                                            

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