A.T. Biopower held four public hearings in Pichit province on 14 and 15 January. A large majority of the participating local community leaders and residents approved the ATB project.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Pichit site has already been approved by the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning in November 2002.

The Pichit hearings were attended by 1,250 residents from the seven sub-districts within a 10-kilometer radius of ATB's proposed site, along with one hundred and sixty observers from central and local government. Before the hearings took place, an attitude survey was conducted in the 10-kilometer radius. Survey forms were completed by 1,330 persons.

The hearings were conducted by request of the Energy Policy and Planning Office as a condition of receiving tariff subsidy support from the Energy Conservation Fund.

We are grateful to the many local leaders and residents who have worked with and supported ATB, especially the people of Horkrai sub-district.