Monopoly, govt. officials block clean energies: US Envoy

Santo Domingo.- US ambassador James W. Brewster on Wednesday accuseda "monopoly" and government sectors of maneuvering to block theadvance of alternative energies in the Dominican Republic, a situation he affirmsmust end.

"Government officials, monopolies andothers who try to prevent the positive steps that the country and companieslike yours that promote the use of clean energy must stand aside and support itand not impede progress for their own interests. This must stop, not tomorrowbut now!"

He stressed Dominican Republic’s "enormous"potential to continue developing clean sources of electricity, especially solarand wind, noting that the Caribbean’s biggest solar power plant was built inMonte Plata (east).

Brewster called energy security and renewableenergy an issue of great importance, which US vice president Joe Biden discussedwith president Danilo Medina during his first visit to the country.

"I simply want you all to know theimportance we place on this issue and that we believe that the impact ofclimate change is very real and that we must work together to mitigate," saidthe diplomat speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce ‘s Thanksgiving luncheon.