News and AnalysIs for

New Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) CEO Juan Carlos Echeverry made positive (although qualified) comments about fracking. Newspapers picked them up but those were the first positive reports we had seen for a long time.

Union and community members across the country march to protect water resources, meanwhile Ecopetrol reminds locals not to eat turtle and iguana meat during Easter week. These and other environmental stories in our periodic wrap up.

Time is up on a 90-day period given by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) to local municipalities and districts to present details of protected areas, with authorities and advocates questioning the timing and reach of the decree.

Ecopetrol got some attention for its investment and spending on environmental matters, which totaled CoP$805B (US$317.9M) over the last five years. But the NOC also said it had nothing to do with a spill for which residents in Coveñas have filed a lawsuit. These and other environmental stories in our periodic wrap up.

The Minister of Environment Gabriel Vallejo contests the concept of ‘express’ environmental licenses, arguing that instead the license only now has clear procedures and timeframes, and the new system will be technical and more formal.

The Casanare administrative court will inspect Mate Marrano wetlands after The National Environmental Licensing Agency (ANLA) did not show for a hearing, and authorities say that thus far Paz de Ariporo is not suffering from drought conditions like last year. These and other environmental stories in our periodic summary.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) says that it has exceeded expectations to reduce its CO2 emissions in 2014, Gran Tierra Energy (TSX:GTE) shares its reforestation experiences in Mexico and illegal refineries are blamed for contaminating rivers in Nariño. These and other environmental stories in our periodic summary.

The Minister of Environment Gabriel Vallejo says that he wants to avoid creating green taxes, but instead install or enforce charges for actions that have an environmental impact.

The El Morro settlement continues to be a hotspot for community-company conflict which has led to trees blocking roads, while the government agrees to look at projects in Casanare and Huila. Gran Tierra (TSX:GTE) also gives details of a electrical energy project designed to lower emissions in Putumayo. These and other stories related to the environment in our periodic summary.

The Minister of Environment (MinAmbiente) Gabriel Vallejo detailed a plan to offer payments to individuals who desist in illegal forestry and mining activities and instead take care of the environment.