Análise do cenário regulatório brasileiro do licenciamento ambiental das pequenas centrais hidrelétricas: panorama atual e proposta de aprimoramento.

Abstract

The growing demand for electricity in Brazil and the intensification of the discussion about the preservation of the environment makes the research of means of electricity generation with low environmental impact always current and necessary. The hydraulic power station uses cause great environmental impacts, especially by the extension of flooded area. Energy production from Small Hydroelectric Power Plants may be an effective alternative, whose technology is widely dominated in the country, and which have a minor impact on the environment. The main objective of this research was to analyze the normative aspect of environmental licensing for the implantation of Small Hydroelectric Plants, identifying options for their real improvement. As a work methodology, a survey of the legislation concerning environmental licensing in Brazil was carried out, identifying the contribution of Small Hydroelectric Plants to the Brazilian electricity sector and the main obstacles of the environmental licensing process in the current regulatory scenario. Environmental licensing processes for Small Hydroelectric Power Plants underway in the Regional Environment Superintendencies of Minas Gerais were also analyzed. The research showed that, among other aspects, the excessive discretion of the Administration, the obscurity of the norm, the diversity in the required documentation of the entrepreneur, the overlapping of norms, and the precariousness of the structure, including technical personnel, cause the slowness and subjectivity of the procedure. So also the lack of a classification of the Small Hydroelectric Power Plants according to their size, degrading potential, flooded area and locational criteria. The research also pointed out that simple measures such as the unification of standards at the federal level or even at the state level, associated with red tape, and the setting of quality parameters for environmental studies would bring a great benefit to the sector.