Brazil’s Ibama to lose power to license works of “national interest”
The Brazilian Congress must decide to reduce the power of veto of Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) when it is necessary to license specific infrastructure projects.
A category of work called “national interest” will be created in countries like the USA. The environmental license will be issued quickly and easily without Ibama being able to prevent it.
The categorization of works of “national interest” in the energy sector, for example, will be the responsibility of the CNPE (National Council of Energy Policy), of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, under the command of Alexandre Silveira, an opponent of Minister Marina Silva, of the Environment.
The rule will come through a provisional measure, the 1,154 of 2023, which reorganizes the ministries of the Lula government.
The rapporteur Isnaldo Bulhões’s (MDB-AL) text will receive an amendment in plenary, in the House, or in the Senate.
Isnaldo Bulhões’ report for MP 1.154 of 2023 had already dehydrated Marina Silva’s Ministry of Environment, which lost the following:
- ANA (National Agency for Water and Basic Sanitation);
- definitions of national hydric policy;
- CAR (Rural Environmental Cadastre).
This type of license for works of national interest exists in several countries. The tendency will be to clear the way for various infrastructure projects in the country.
The side effect will be an even greater loss of power by Marina Silva, who is becoming increasingly isolated in the Lula government.
It is partly a repeat of the history of when Marina occupied the same position when Lula was president for the first time.
She opposed several decisions made by Planalto at that time, the best known being the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant in the Xingu river basin in northern Pará state.
She ended up leaving the government in 2008.
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