Lao dam report blasted by environmental group

An environmental group yesterday refuted the validity of a report commissioned by Laos in September claiming that construction of its controversial Xayaburi dam would not have a significant impact on the Mekong River. The report, completed for the Lao government by Swiss engineer Poyry Energy AG, said potential downstream regional impacts were 'insignificant', but it recommended some low-cost design alterations that would improve fish passage and sediment transport...