Power Companies request removal of green taxes from tax reform
Government will finalize the development of the new energy strategy before May 21st. Yesterday, the minister Maximo Pacheco had a meeting with Sofofa.
In a lengthy meeting, the Sofofa’s electric board yesterday asked the Minister of Energy, Maximo Pacheco, remove green taxes from tax reform that raises the current government. At the meeting, which lasted for an hour and a half, it was exposed to the Secretary of State that the proposed legislation generates discrimination in the industry. Sources consulted by PULSO and are aware of the content of the meeting, stressed that Pacheco was noted that one of the main risks of the government’s proposal is that it would consider only some sources that emit CO2, while others fall outside .
For example, one of the executives present at the meeting said a steel would not be taxed. “Green tax was an issue that was discussed and Energy Minister undertook to speak because he is worried. We were hoping him to see it with Treasury”said Hermann von Mühlenbrock, Sofofa’s mepresidente off the meeting.
The union leader added that “there are very few countries in the world” who have this kind of green taxes. “Even this will generate up the price of energy. We did not is no doubt, “he warned. Von Mühlenbrock added that “if this green tax for specific production processes will be severe, because” going to pay for more expensive yet energy facilities over 50 MW must pay more money for the CO2 they generate. “The union leader added that “the Chilean energy matrix should be friendly to the environment, diversified and be oriented to be self sufficient”.
What comes
The leader said the energy minister explained to them that the new strategy document will be presented during the President’s Message of May 21. “Once we know the agenda, obviously not everyone will be happy with it, but I think it is a huge step and the important thing is that you will always have the private sector,” added Von Mühlenbrock. Another issue highlighted by the Minister of Energy at the meeting was the heterogeneity of the group led by Sofofa.
In fact, the union president said that it is not only composed by generators or distributors, but also by major energy users. “It is a union that represents large consumers, the National Society of Mining, the Mining Council, the CChC” added Von Mühlenbrock.
Among the executives who attended the meeting, which was held in the Ministry of Energy, were the executive vice president of the Association of Generating Chile, René Muga; Pacific Hydro’s CEO, José Antonio Valdés; Endesa’s CEO Joaquin Galindo; the helmsman of the Suez group in Chile, Juan Claveria, and Alberto Salas, Sonami’s President, among others.
Source: La Tercera
