I’m a born and bred Jersey girl, but have lived for varying amounts of time in Michigan, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, and the Czech Republic before moving to Washington, DC. Prior to joining NRDC I received my Masters degree in International Politics and Economics with a focus in Renewable Energy policy from Charles University in Prague. While there, I gained an appreciation for night running, train travel (especially of the high speed variety), and the local pivo. I received my Bachelors degree in history and Spanish from Middlebury College, and also studied in Buenos Aires.
Posted February 3, 2012 by Amanda Maxwell
Chile In the last three months, Chile’s government has raced to achieve its goal of obtaining a national energy matrix that consists of 20% alternative energies by 2020. Today only 3% of Chile’s energy comes from non conventional renewable energy...continued→
Posted January 4, 2012 by Amanda Maxwell in Living Sustainably, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Chileans tired of enduring blackouts, seasonal power shortages and high electricity prices have reason for hope in the New Year. A coalition of citizens, academics, technical experts and members of Parliament has issued a landmark proposal in hopes of jump-starting...continued→
Posted December 19, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in The Media and the Environment
This is the last Latin America news summary before the New Year and the editorial team would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday – ¡Felices Fiestas y Prospero Año Nuevo! Chile Renewable energy development made a lot of news...continued→
Posted December 15, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
HidroAysén, the company proposing to build five hydroelectric dams on two of Chile’s wildest rivers in Patagonia, made the route for the project’s transmission line public last week after years of speculation. Although there is very little new information in...continued→
Posted December 9, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in The Media and the Environment
Chile HidroAysén made the proposed route for its 1,200 mile-long transmission line public this week, releasing the route to the media and initiating conversations with 20 of the affected communities. The line would require 1,500 - 1,700 high tension towers...continued→
Posted December 2, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Environmental Justice, Health and the Environment, Living Sustainably, Moving Beyond Oil, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming, The Media and the Environment
Chile President Piñera signed an agreement with the state of Massachusetts last week to strength education, energy and biotechnology initiatives. This alliance is similar to the partnership developed between Chile and California in the 1960’s which saw much success in...continued→
Posted November 18, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Curbing Pollution, Environmental Justice, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming
Chile At long last, The Council for Electricity Development has announced their final proposals for Chile’s new energy plan. This 200-page proposal will allow the government to compose a new energy matrix to implement over the next 20 years. The...continued→
Posted November 16, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Reviving the World's Oceans, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Two major and encouraging developments – one from the Mexican government and the other in the international arena– took place yesterday in Baja California, putting wind in the sails of the diverse coalition working to protect Cabo Pulmo National Marine...continued→
Posted November 11, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Living Sustainably, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, The Media and the Environment
Costa Rica In a victory for Costa Rican environmental NGOs and local residents, Costa Rica’s Environmental Secretariat (SETENA) has determined that it will no longer consider a controversial tuna farm project at the mouth of the Osa Peninsula’s Gulfo Dulce. ...continued→
Posted November 9, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Reviving the World's Oceans, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
For the first time ever, UNESCO and Ramsar are sending a joint mission to Mexico that will investigate potential threats to Baja California’s Cabo Pulmo – a remarkable coral reef ecosystem and National Marine Park that is both a UNESCO...continued→
Posted November 4, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Health and the Environment, Moving Beyond Oil, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming
Chile A new energy group entitled the “Comisión Ciudadana Técnico Parlamentaria para la Política y la Matriz Eléctrica (CCTP)” or the Citizens’ Technical and Parliamentary Commission for Policy and the Electricity Matrix, consists of members of Parliament, electric industry experts...continued→
Posted October 28, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Curbing Pollution, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming
Chile Chile’s National Emergency Office of the Interior Ministry (ONEMI) has declared a red alert for seismic activity of the Hudson Volcano. The alert affects the areas of Aysén, Río Ibáñez and Chile Chico, and 150 residents within a 20 mile...continued→
Posted October 21, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Curbing Pollution, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming
Chile Despite gaining official approval from Chile’s government, HidroAysén still faces many challenges on the road to completion. The primary point of contention is how the power will be transmitted from Patagonia to Santiago. A recent discussion between HidroAysén and...continued→
Posted October 17, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Since NRDC launched the Chilean Patagonia BioGem campaign in 2007 to protect the region from a massive hydroelectric complex called HidroAysén, my colleagues and I have blogged repeatedly about the many reasons why the mega-dam proposal should not be built. ...continued→
Posted October 14, 2011 by Amanda Maxwell in Living Sustainably, The Media and the Environment
Chile Chile’s green house gas emissions have risen above neighboring countries and OECD member countries, according to a recent report by the Jaime Guzmán Foundation. The report highlights that more than 58 percent of Chile’s energy now comes from thermal...continued→
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