After widespread criticism, Puerto Rico halts controversial Via Verde pipeline project

In Puerto Rico, the government has cancelled plans to build a controversial natural gas pipeline that was set to criss-cross the island and has drawn protests from local residents, scientists and environmentalists. On Thursday, officials withdrew a request to the Army Corps of Engineers to build the 92-mile pipeline. According to the Spanish-language press, El Nuevo Dia, officials said the decision was based on finances and so far the government has invested $50 million on the project. But many residents of Puerto Rico said the pipeline would have damaged sensitive environmental areas and threatened local communities. And they question the use of limited funds for a project that was expected to benefit associates of Governor Luis Fortuño. For more, were joined by Arturo Massol. He’s a professor of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico and spokesperson with Casa Pueblo, one of the community groups critical of Via Verde project.