The Tribune

BAHAMIAN environmental attorney and consultant, Romauld Ferreira, is set to lead a workshop at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum in Puerto Rico to review proposed legislation governing renewable energy.

Earlier this year, Ferreira & Company was awarded a CARICOM consultancy to develop a legal framework to govern the energy and electricity sector, and to promote renewable energy.

He will present the model primary legislation and secondary legislation during the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum 2012, set for October 16-17 at the Ritz Carlton in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In addition to government officials, Mr Ferreira will address stakeholders, familiariqing them with proposed updated legislation governing a wide range of issues connected with the energy sector, including privatisation and liberalisation, and the issuance of generation, transmission and distribution and supply licenses to qualified licensees. It also provides the framework to promote the development of renewable energy as mandated by the CARICOM consultancy.

“It was a great honour to have been selected from among the many experts in the Caribbean for the task of creating a framework providing clear parameters for the pursuit of renewable energy,” said Mr Ferreira.

The announcement of the consultancy was made in May. “Since that time, we have spent countless hours in research and drafting, and I look forward to the interaction with attendees from various CARICOM nations,” Mr Ferreira said.

“Going forward, how we manage the energy sector, how we generate electricity and how we develop our ability to harness renewable energy sources will determine how well we are able to grow our economies. This is a great example of the impact of law on life itself and I am very excited to be part of it.”

Mr Ferreira’s Nassau-based firm, which bears his name, has developed a reputation in environmental work. Ferreira & Company has conducted landmark projects including the IDB Project: Preparation of Legal and Regulatory Framework for The Water and Sanitation Sector of the Bahamas, the New Providence Power Plant Expansion Project Phase II and the Environmental Impact Assessment for Seashells Villas at Cotton Bay, South Eleuthera and Over Yonder Cay, Exuma.

Co-host of the popular morning show, Bahamas@Sunrise, Mr Ferreira refers to his practice in ecology and environmental law as “the opportunity to combine respect for the the law with my reverence for the environment”.