By Beverley Mitchell, Source: Inhabitat

The Chilean government yesterday rejected the controversial HidroAysén hydroelectric power project, citing unresolved environmental concerns. The project would have involved construction of five major dams in the country’s environmentally sensitive Patagonia region. Although project managers can appeal the decision, HidroAysén’s eventual success now seems unlikely after seven years of sustained public protests.

The project was given an interim green light in 2011 by the previous Chilean government. But recently elected President Michelle Bachelet tasked her administration to review the project. After yesterday’s three-hour meeting, Environment Minister Paul Badenier announced: “A decision was taken to accept the community appeals and void the Environmental Qualification Resolution that approved HidroAysén; so the project is declared rejected by this administrative act.”

Read the rest at: Inhabitat