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El Ciudadano

Original article: Coalición Nacional Chao Carbón denuncia incumplimientos ambientales en proceso de descarbonización y exige reingreso de normas retiradas desde Contraloría

The National Coalition Chao Carbón, comprised of socio-environmental organizations and local groups from Tocopilla, Mejillones, Huasco, Quintero-Puchuncaví, and Coronel, has raised concerns that the decarbonization process in Chile is taking place «without adherence to current environmental laws, without remediation of environmental and social liabilities, and without effective participation from communities».

During a meeting held on May 8 and 9, 2026, in Santiago to assess the progress of closing coal-fired power plants and their territorial impacts, the organizations warned that despite the shutdown of 14 of the 28 operational plants in the country between 2019 and 2026, significant environmental and regulatory debts persist in the so-called «sacrifice zones».

In a statement, the Coalition criticized companies like ENEL, AES, and ENGIE for failing to implement closure, abandonment, and dismantling plans associated with the Environmental Qualification Resolutions (RCA) for plants that have ceased operations in various municipalities across the country.

Additionally, the organizations condemned the withdrawal from the Comptroller’s Office of Supreme Decree No. 8, which updated the Emission Standards for Thermal Power Plants and tightened limits on harmful pollutants to health, such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

«This represents a significant setback for air quality, environmental standards, and public health protection in territories historically affected by industrial pollution,» the Coalition stated.

The groups also opposed the withdrawal of Supreme Decree No. 14, related to the governance of the Just Socio-ecological Transition Strategy, as well as Supreme Decree No. 12/2011 concerning PM2.5, aimed at reducing the health impacts of fine air pollution.

Another key point raised in the statement is the lack of involvement of local organizations and territorial authorities in decisions regarding the future production landscape of the affected municipalities. In this context, they questioned projects associated with green hydrogen, desalination plants, and co-combustion of coal with ammonia.

«We reject that the government or companies impose alternative industrial development without consultation or local participation, and without safeguarding coastal areas, artisanal fishing zones, and tourism uses,» they stated, describing as a «false solution» the proposal for coal and ammonia co-combustion promoted by Guacolda Energía in Huasco, arguing that this technology perpetuates coal burning and the emission of pollutants.

In this framework, they demanded the closure of at least units 1 and 2 of the Guacolda thermal power complex and a clear timetable for the decommissioning of the remaining units.

Finally, the Coalition organizations called for effective funding to implement the measures outlined in the National Just Socio-Ecological Transition Strategy, especially those related to productive reconversion and environmental remediation in territories historically impacted by coal-fired electricity generation.

The National Coalition Chao Carbón includes various territorial and environmental organizations such as Women in Sacrifice Zones in Resistance, Despierta Mejillones, Tocopilla Digna, Save Coronel, Huasco Sin Relaves, NGO FIMA, Environmental Advocacy, Greenpeace, Fundación Terram, and Fundación Chile Sustentable, among others.

The Citizen

La entrada National Coalition Chao Carbón Highlights Environmental Violations in Chile’s Decarbonization Process and Calls for Reinstatement of Removed Regulations se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.