Brazil prosecutors demand R$20 million and R$5 million penalties for illegal fuel pipelines and tangled power lines

The Public Ministry of Goiás (MPGO) filed a civil suit against Phoenix Distribuidora de Combustíveis Ltda. and Dinâmica Terminais Canedo S/A, accusing the companies of building six underground fuel pipelines that cross Avenida Tropical in Senador Canedo without authorization from the National Petroleum Agency, state environmental licensing, or municipal approval. The ministry claims the clandestine ducts and unlicensed storage tanks pose serious risks of leaks, fires, explosions and groundwater contamination. MPGO seeks at least R$20 million in collective moral damages, the permanent deactivation of the pipelines, an environmental remediation plan and other corrective measures.

Separately, the Public Ministry of Paraíba (MPPB) sued Energisa Paraíba over a citywide tangle of loose, clandestine wires and abandoned cable structures in João Pessoa, describing the situation as “visual pollution” and a “permanent risk to the public.” The action asks for a minimum R$5 million indemnity for damage to the artificial urban environment and orders the utility to submit, within 60 days, a detailed structural action plan, a removal schedule for hazardous wiring, continuous monitoring, and a daily fine of R$10 000 for non‑compliance. Both cases involve multi‑agency task forces and aim to halt illegal infrastructure, protect public safety and enforce environmental and urban‑planning regulations.