Victer seeks Cerj fine for New Year blackout

Rio de Janeiro state energy, naval industry and oil secretary Wagner Victer said that he will recommend that electricity regulator Aneel fines state distributor Cerj for a 70-minute blackout in Arraial do Cabo in the north of the state, Agencia Brasil reported. Victer was in Arraial do Cabo for the New Year celebrations, and said part of the city was in darkness between 11:30pm on December 31 and 12:40am on January 1. The transmission line to Arrial do Cabo was damaged by fireworks, while further south, heavy rains cut power to the smaller town of Guapimirim, Agencia Brasil reported Cerj officials as saying. Victer said his department would send a Aneel a full report on power supply in the state and suggested that Cerj invest more in its network.