No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifeTico astronaut Franklin Chang offers President Solís a plan to optimize energy...

Tico astronaut Franklin Chang offers President Solís a plan to optimize energy use

Former NASA astronaut and Tico scientist Franklin Chang Diaz on Tuesday met with Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís to deliver a series of proposals aimed at improving energy generation and creating more efficient transit in the country.

The plan, developed jointly with experts from Earth University, also urges a reduction in the use of fossil fuels in Costa Rica.

Solís, Chang and Earth University Rector José Zaglul met at 7 a.m. at Casa Presidencial, in southeastern San José. The three are part of a National Energy Platform, a group that promotes more efficient energy strategies and alternative fuel options.

Chang said the proposal “is a short report of work developed by members of the platform, which includes specific actions to reduce the price of energy and to reduce the country’s ecological footprint.”

Among the measures that could be implemented in the short term, Solís cited a metropolitan electric train, a national roadway plan and promotion of several pending bills being discussed in the Legislative Assembly that would allow exploration of geothermal energy without damaging the environment.

“There are very concrete ideas that are intended to move forward and fast,” Solís said.

The Costa Rica Electricity Institute (ICE) is exploring several geothermal energy projects, but the country’s laws currently prevent the agency from exploiting new sites located within national parks.

Zaglul, who is the platform’s coordinator, said there is significant interest in improving the national roadway network to optimize fuel consumption.

The Earth rector explained that the platform “is a multisectoral group looking for consensus on actions that can be taken immediately.”

The National Energy Platform includes representatives from ICE, private sector organizations, labor unions and several Costa Rican scientists.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Blue Carpet event unites Leaders for Ocean Innovation and Tourism

On Friday, the Costa Rican Fishing Federation (FECOP) held the second edition of La Alfombra Azul, an event created to celebrate innovation, science, and...

JetBlue Flash Sale: Fort Lauderdale to Liberia Flights Ends Today

Those looking for a deal on airfare and eyeing a trip between Florida and Costa Rica now have a chance to get one with...

Costa Rican President Brushes Off Surge in Homicides

President Rodrigo Chaves has again brushed off Costa Rica's mounting security problems, labeling them as misunderstandings in a recent interview. Speaking on FOX Noticias,...

Costa Rica President Narrows Legal Abortion to Life-Saving Cases

President Rodrigo Chaves has repealed Costa Rica's therapeutic abortion protocol, a move that fulfills a long-standing promise and tightens rules around the procedure. The...

Trump Authorizes CIA Ops in Venezuela as US Weighs Land Strikes

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday authorized CIA operations against Venezuela and said he was considering carrying out ground attacks against drug cartels...

Trump Says He Will End US Aid to Colombia as Tensions Spike

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday accused his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, of tolerating drug production and announced he would end “large-scale payments...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica