The Environmental Evaluation Commission of Maule rejected the initiative promoted by Enel with an investment of USD 36 million
The actor focused his criticisms on the possible impact on the spiny-chested pehuenche frog, a species that inhabits the high mountains and of which around a thousand specimens remain
The Environmental Evaluation Commission (COEVA) of the Maule region rejected the electrical interconnection project Los Cóndores–Río Diamante on Tuesday, an initiative that aimed to connect the electrical systems of Chile and Argentina with an investment of USD 36 million
The project, promoted by the company Enel, had been heavily criticized by environmental activists after leftist actor Leonardo DiCaprio publicly questioned its installation
The initiative included the construction of a transmission line of 26.7 kilometers in Chilean territory, from the new Los Cóndores substation to the border with Argentina
The route began in the commune of San Clemente, located 275 kilometers south of Santiago, and planned to install 76 metal towers, along a stretch that would extend between 1,450 and 2,667 meters above sea level
The decision by the environmental authority represents a setback for a project that aimed to advance electrical connectivity between the two countries and involved a multimillion-dollar investment. According to COEVA's resolution, the initiative raised concerns related to the possible effects on "biodiversity and tourism" in the area
The project had been questioned in recent weeks by Leonardo DiCaprio, a well-known leftist activist, who publicly urged the Chilean government to reject the initiative
The intervention of the Hollywood star generated international attention on the project. DiCaprio argued that the work could have negative consequences for the habitat of this species
“There are fewer than 1,000 spiny-chested pehuenche frogs left in the wild, and the Chilean government could approve a catastrophic plan to destroy the heart of their only known habitat,” the actor stated in a post on his Instagram page
In this way, DiCaprio positioned himself against the planned location for the historic electrical infrastructure and urged the Chilean government to reverse the project
The Enel initiative was set to cross a high mountain area with a route of over 26 kilometers and the construction of 76 metal towers. The infrastructure was projected between the Los Cóndores substation and the border with Argentina
The project also represented an investment of USD 36 million to realize the electrical interconnection between Chile and Argentina. However, the environmental authority of Maule ultimately decided to reject it after evaluating the concerns related to biodiversity and tourism
