The recently passed amendment to the law defines as a priority the use and import of raw materials for the production of biofuels and provides a new price for electricity generated from forest biomass.
LAW FOR THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF BIOFUEL
"ARTICLE 12 -. Raw materials and biomass for biofuel production and domestic biofuels have priority for use over imported raw materials, biomass or biofuels in market conditions.
The government has announced that it will revise all contracts awarded and projects that are not being run will be reassigned.
State institutions responsible for granting operating licenses to mining, forestry, clean energy generation and hydrocarbon projects, have a deadline of two weeks to complete the collection of all permits, licenses and concessions granted in the past two governments and present a report to President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who will decide whether or not to revoke the licenses that have not been executed in order to reallocate the revoked contracts to new investors.
The oil company Chevron will make an offer to Honduran authorities regarding hydrocarbon exploration in the Atlantic in that country.
"Let's see what kind of proposal they bring at this opportunity. They have informed us that they have an interest in returning to Honduras to look at proposals on the development of oil projects," said Roberto Cardona, head of Natural Resources and the Environment (Serna) .
The tax rate for domestic and foreign investors in mining has increased from 3% to 6%-7%
"Between six and seven percent was the amount finally passed in Congress, at the time of the approval MPs in the National Congress were determined to raise the tax rate, resulting in companies paying even more now than specified in the original project ," said the chief of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Serna), Rigoberto Cuellar.
More than 60 companies were suspended and fined for having agreements for clean energy generation that never began operations.
According to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment (Serna), Rigoberto Cuellar, these companies were headed by people without the economic or technical capacity to develop these projects and their intention was to resell them.
President Lobo intends to sell around 280 active mining concessions which are currently unused.
Elheraldo.hn reports: "The Law of Public Debt Restructuring deals with the sale or disposal of idle state assets, including projects in the area of natural resources, mining, energy and telecommunications."
According to president Porfirio Lobo, any concession must comply with the provisions of the recently adopted General Mining Law and then one of three routes pointing to the so called "mortgage law " must be defined in order for a concession contract to be awarded.
Congress passed after a single debate the operating contract for British Gas Group to explore and exploit oil in the country.
"The Commission issued a favorable opinion after considering that in the negotiation for exploration and exploitation there will be no losses for Honduras ...", reported Laprensa.hn.
"... Based on the Hydrocarbon Law, an agreement was made that is very favorable for the country in case of finding oil, natural gas or other hydrocarbons in the Caribbean".
The Secretary for Tourism will officially unveil the infrastructure works that cost a total of $16 million.
The projects were aimed at conserving and improving the environment and included the construction of a new landfill site, drinking water systems, sanitation and a sewage treatment plant.
In addition, all communities benefited from resurfaced roads and recycling facilities as well as strengthened taxation and finance systems.