The administrator of the CDE, Temistocles Montas, has warned that the national electricity system could suffer a collapse in eight months if Congress continues delaying the legal framework that would allow for the necessary transformation of the sector. He said that if the bill that has been in Congress for three years is not at last passed, the CDE will take upon itself in January 1997 to implement major changes in its structure under Law 4115 of the CDE. Temistocles Montas said that the delays in passing the bill have not only prevented the enactment of necessary changes within the CDE structure, but it has also been an obstacle to the country receiving upwards of US$300 million from international banks that would finance private investments in the electricity industry. “This government and this administration cannot allow a system to collapse for lack of congressional will, when there are solutions available,” the CDE director told the Listin Diario. He said that law 4115 allows the board of directors of the CDE to lease out parts of the Corporation and to delegate certain functions in its commercial area, e.g. collections.