For the first time in its history, the Argentine province of La Pampa held a public hearing to present a comprehensive environmental remediation plan for the El Medanito oil field. The Provincial Cabinet rejected criticism from legislator Noelia Sosa, confirming that environmental controls are working and that monitoring detected no hydrocarbons in the Colorado River.
The provincial government of La Pampa, Argentina, unanimously rejected criticism regarding the bidding process for the hydrocarbon area El Medanito. Energy Secretary Matías Toso guaranteed that environmental liabilities will be paid by the companies, not the citizens, amidst the region's first-ever public hearing on oil concessions.
Provincial Deputy Noelia Sosa has formally objected to the Final Environmental Report presented by oil company PCR as the concession for El Medanito—La Pampa's most significant hydrocarbon field—comes to an end. She cited regulatory violations and called for investigations into state officials. Meanwhile, the Provincial Cabinet firmly rejected the allegations and confirmed that water quality tests show no contamination in the Colorado River.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
