Earth Equity News

Venezuelan Drought Threatens Devastating Power Collapse. By Fabiola Sanchez, AP, January 9, 2010. "Venezuela is at risk of a devastating power collapse as drought pushes water levels precariously low in the country's biggest hydroelectric dam, posing a serious political threat for President Hugo Chavez. Chavez says his government is determined to keep Guri Dam from falling to a critical level where the turbines start to fail in the next several months. He has imposed rationing measures that include penalty fees for energy overuse, shorter workdays for many public employees and reduced hours for shopping malls. The entire country of 28 million people depends to a large degree on the massive Guri Dam, which holds back the Caroni River in southeastern Bolivar state. It supplies 73% of the country's electricity by feeding the massive Guri hydroelectric plant -- the world's third-largest in power output -- along with two other smaller plants."