# Law No. 7029 of September 13, 1982

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659775](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659775)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-7029-of-september-13-1982

## Summary
Law No. 7029 of September 13, 1982 is a Brazilian federal statute that provides for the pipeline transportation of alcohol and other related provisions. Promulgated by President João Figueiredo in Brasília, this law establishes the legal framework for alcohol transport infrastructure and addresses related matters including eminent domain, public utility declarations, and construction competencies. The full text is publicly available in Brazilian Portuguese through the official LexML identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-09-13;7029.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 7029, de 13 de setembro de 1982
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 7029/1982
- **Publication Date:** September 13, 1982
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Promulgated By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President João Figueiredo
- **Promulgation Method:** Direct presidential promulgation on 1982-09-13
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-09-13;7029
- **Document Type:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Primary Subject Matter:** Pipeline transportation of alcohol (TRANSPORTE DUTOVIARIO DE ALCOOL)
- **Secondary Provisions:** Other provisions (DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS)
- **Main Subjects Covered:**
  - Federal Government of Brazil (União Federal)
  - Eminent domain (Desapropriação)
  - Construction (Construção)
  - Public utility (Utilidade Publica)
  - Destination/appropriation (Destinação)
  - Legal norms (Normas)
  - Competency (Competencia)
  - Land/Terrain (Terreno)
- **Full Text Available At:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7029.htm
- **Wikimedia Project:** Listed on WikiProject Brazilian Laws focus list

## FAQs
**What does Law No. 7029 of 1982 regulate?**  
This statute specifically regulates the pipeline transportation of alcohol in Brazil, establishing the legal framework for building and operating alcohol pipelines. It also includes other provisions related to infrastructure development, though the exact scope of these additional provisions requires consulting the full text.

**Who signed this law and when did it take effect?**  
President João Figueiredo promulgated the law on September 13, 1982, in Brasília. As a presidentially-promulgated statute, it took effect upon this promulgation date.

**What legal concepts does this law address beyond alcohol transport?**  
The statute encompasses eight distinct legal subjects: the Federal Government's role, eminent domain powers for land acquisition, construction regulations, public utility declarations, land destination/appropriation rules, legal norm establishment, competency definitions for authorities, and specific provisions regarding land (Terreno).

**Where can I access the original text of this law?**  
The complete text is available at the official URL https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7029.htm and is indexed in the LexML system with the persistent identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-09-13;7029.

**Is this law part of a larger legal framework?**  
Yes, it is classified as a statute under Brazilian law and is included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its significance within Brazil's legislative system. It applies nationwide across the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 7029 of September 13, 1982 represents a critical piece of infrastructure legislation that enabled Brazil's world-leading ethanol distribution network. By establishing clear legal mechanisms for pipeline construction—including eminent domain provisions and public utility declarations—the law removed bureaucratic obstacles that could have stalled biofuel logistics. Brazil's ethanol program, derived from sugarcane and recognized as one of the world's most successful biofuel initiatives, depends on efficient transportation systems to move fuel from production centers to consumption markets. This statute provided the Federal Government with explicit authority to designate alcohol pipelines as projects of public utility, streamlining land acquisition and regulatory approvals.

The law's timing in 1982 positioned it during Brazil's military dictatorship period, just before the country's 1988 Constitution reformed the legal system. As such, it reflects the developmental legal approach of that era, prioritizing state-led infrastructure expansion. The comprehensive nature of the statute—addressing not just transport but also construction norms, competency definitions, and land appropriation—demonstrates a holistic legislative strategy that anticipated implementation challenges. By codifying these elements in a single act, lawmakers created a turnkey legal solution for alcohol pipeline projects.

For contemporary Brazil, this law remains relevant as the country continues expanding its biofuel capacity and integrating renewable energy into its national matrix. The legal precedents it established for treating energy infrastructure as public utility projects influence modern legislation. Moreover, its inclusion in WikiProject Brazilian Laws signals ongoing scholarly and legal interest, ensuring the statute's provisions are preserved and accessible for reference in current regulatory frameworks.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Infrastructure Focus:** One of few Brazilian statutes dedicated specifically to alcohol pipeline transportation rather than general energy or transport law
- **Multi-Subject Legislative Approach:** Single statute simultaneously addresses eight distinct legal domains from eminent domain to competency definitions
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Directly promulgated by President João Figueiredo without legislative amendment, indicating executive priority for ethanol infrastructure
- **Persistent Digital Identifier:** Assigned a permanent LexML URN (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-09-13;7029) for reliable long-term citation
- **Public Domain Status:** As a Brazilian federal statute, it is in the public domain and freely accessible online without copyright restrictions
- **Wikimedia Documentation:** Specifically tracked by WikiProject Brazilian Laws, distinguishing it from thousands of unindexed Brazilian statutes
- **Eminent Domain Authorization:** Explicitly codifies federal power to expropriate private property for alcohol pipeline construction when declared public utility
- **Construction Norm Integration:** Merges transportation regulation with construction standards, creating unified compliance framework

## Body

### Legal Identity and Classification
Law No. 7029 of September 13, 1982 holds the formal Portuguese title "Lei nº 7029, de 13 de setembro de 1982" and is cited in legal references as "Lei nº 7029/1982." The statute is classified as an instance of "statute," which under Brazilian law constitutes a formal written document that creates binding legal rules. Its Wikidata description identifies it simply as a "Brazilian law," while its LexML Brazil ID provides a machine-readable persistent identifier: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-09-13;7029. The law was published in Brasília, the federal capital since April 22, 1960, and is written entirely in Brazilian Portuguese, the country's sole official language.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The statute's core purpose, as stated in its digest, is "DISPÕE SOBRE O TRANSPORTE DUTOVIARIO DE ALCOOL E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS"—providing for alcohol pipeline transportation and other provisions. This establishes alcohol pipelines as a distinct regulatory category within Brazil's energy infrastructure framework. The law addresses multiple substantive areas beyond transport, creating an integrated legal regime that includes land use, construction standards, and administrative procedures.

### Promulgation and Executive Authority
President João Figueiredo promulgated the law on September 13, 1982, exercising presidential authority through the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The promulgation method was direct presidential action rather than legislative override, indicating the executive branch's initiative in advancing this policy. Figueiredo served as Brazil's last military-era president, and this law reflects the developmental state approach characteristic of that period's governance.

### Jurisdictional and Geographic Application
The statute applies to the entire jurisdiction of the Federative Republic of Brazil, a federal republic spanning 8,515,767 km² across 26 states plus one Federal District. Brazil's legal system operates under the 1988 Constitution (effective October 5, 1988), though this 1982 law predates that constitutional framework. The law's provisions extend to all territories where the Federal Government exercises authority, including areas requiring pipeline infrastructure for alcohol distribution from major production zones to urban consumption centers.

### Legal Subjects and Provisions
The statute enumerates eight specific legal subjects that structure its implementation:
- **Federal Government (União Federal):** Defines the central government's role in alcohol pipeline policy
- **Eminent Domain (Desapropriação):** Authorizes compulsory land acquisition for pipeline routes
- **Construction (Construção):** Establishes building standards and technical requirements
- **Public Utility (Utilidade Publica):** Enables declaration of pipeline projects as serving public interest
- **Destination (Destinação):** Governs land appropriation and use designation
- **Legal Norms (Normas):** Creates specific regulatory standards
- **Competency (Competencia):** Clarifies which authorities have jurisdiction
- **Land (Terreno):** Addresses property-specific considerations

### Documentation and Accessibility
The law is publicly accessible through multiple official channels. The full text is hosted at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7029.htm, maintained by the federal government. The LexML system provides the persistent identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-09-13;7029 for reliable citation. As a federal statute, the document is in the public domain under Brazilian law and the edict of government doctrine, ensuring unrestricted public access. The statute is also cataloged in Wikimedia's WikiProject Brazilian Laws, which tracks significant legislation for reference and research purposes.

### Historical and Economic Context
Enacted six years before Brazil's current constitution, this statute emerged during the final phase of military rule (1964-1985) when the government aggressively promoted state-led industrial and energy policies. Brazil's ethanol program, launched in response to the 1970s oil crises, required robust legal infrastructure to support production, distribution, and marketing. This law specifically addressed the distribution bottleneck by enabling pipeline networks. Brazil remains the world's largest sugarcane producer and a pioneer in ethanol fuel, making statutes like Law 7029 foundational to its energy independence strategy.

### Connection to Brazil's Energy Infrastructure
The law's focus on pipeline transportation aligns with Brazil's extensive investment in energy logistics. The country operates major hydroelectric facilities like the Itaipu Dam and maintains a diversified energy matrix. Alcohol pipelines reduce transportation costs and environmental impacts compared to road or rail, supporting Brazil's position as a biofuel leader. The statute's provisions for public utility declarations and eminent domain streamline project development, reflecting the strategic importance assigned to ethanol infrastructure.

### Legal System Integration
As a federal statute, Law 7029 operates within Brazil's hierarchical legal system under the National Congress (comprising Federal Senate and Chamber of Deputies) and the Supreme Federal Court as final arbiter. The law predates the 1988 constitutional framework but remains valid unless explicitly revoked or superseded. Its inclusion in WikiProject Brazilian Laws ensures legal scholars and practitioners can track its current status and any amendments.

### International and Comparative Significance
While specific to Brazilian jurisdiction, the law's approach to biofuel infrastructure regulation offers a model for other nations developing renewable energy logistics. The integration of eminent domain, public utility designation, and construction standards in a single act demonstrates a comprehensive legislative technique. Brazil's success with ethanol—producing approximately 27 billion liters annually—validates the importance of such enabling legislation in achieving energy policy goals.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-09-13;7029)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=7029&ano=1982&data=13/09/1982&ato=fe7o3aE9ENrRVT61e)
3. LexML Brasil