The Senate ratified a US$656.8 million loan for the construction of the two coal-fired power plants at the thermoelectric generation facility in Punta Catalina. According to the El Caribe, the loan agreement was signed by the Dominican government and the National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES) of Brazil together with the construction company, Norberto Odebrecht. The project is carried out by the Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE). The chairman of the Senate Commission of Hacienda, Dionis Sanchez, published a favorable report on the loan. The loan agreement now goes to the Chamber of Deputies for study and approval.