<div id="subtitle">Chavez signs emergency decree to accelerate Venezuela's electricity output amid power crisis</div><div><p>President Hugo Chavez has signed a decree declaring an energy emergency in Venezuela to facilitate his government's efforts to ease severe energy shortages.</p><p>Venezuela imposed electricity and water rationing in December to prevent a collapse of the electricity grid as severe drought drops water levels behind the Guri Dam to critical lows. The dam supplies most of Venezuela's electricity.</p><p>Energy Minister Ali Rodriguez says the government must accelerate plans to reduce energy consumption while boosting production.</p><p>Chavez signed the emergency decree Monday.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=68714246&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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