The regulation which has been long-awaited because it would lead to dozens of investment projects, has been challenged in the Constitutional Court.
The "preventing" machine still works very effectively in Costa Rica, this time to stop huge investments that would help solve the problem of waste disposal afflicting municipalities.
Environmental viability proceedings for energy projects using trash as a fuel source have been suspended after a constitutional complaint was filed against the regulation governing the incineration of waste.
The Ministry of Health in Costa Rica has finalized the regulations governing the operation of incineration plants which generate energy from waste.
Almost a year after the moratorium on power generation based on solid waste, which is mainly affecting municipalities, the Ministry of Public Health has announced that the regulations which establish the conditions for the incineration of waste are ready.
Municipalities in Costa Rica estimate that adoption of the regulations being prepared by the executive branch could accelerate the suspension of the moratorium in July.
The moratorium on generating energy from solid waste imposed by the government on July 11 could be lifted in late August, according to estimates by the National Association of Mayors and City Councils.
The government has agreed with the municipalities that within a month it will analyze the effects of generating power using waste before lifting the moratorium in June.
The Ministries of Health and Environment and Energy announced that they will dedicate a month to studying the effects of this method of power generation before removing the moratorium established on June 17 on this activity.
In February 2011 the "Ordinary Solid Waste Management Regulation" will come into force.
Regional authorities, businesses and the general population have six months to take any measures necessary to comply with the new regulation which seeks to prevent pollution and reduce pressure on Costa Rica's natural resources.
"According to the new law, authorities must 'provide containers or refuse collection facilities that enable solid waste to be collected and valued,' as well as collaborate in the implementation of public education programs to promote a culture of separated waste collection and clean public spaces as part of an integrated solid waste management system," reports Prensalibre.cr.