La Pampa rejects El Medanito remediation plan amid rising costs

The Secretariat of Environment and Climate Change of La Pampa has rejected the environmental remediation report submitted by the UTE PCR-Pampetrol for the El Medanito area. Officials reported that the survey identified 146 abandoned wells, a higher number than previously anticipated.

Estimates suggest that the cost of environmental remediation and the cleanup of contaminated soils could exceed $22 million USD. The sanitation process is expected to require approximately three decades to complete.

The Secretariat is currently addressing the responsibilities of the PCR-Pampetrol joint venture regarding environmental liabilities accumulated up to July 18, as well as the transitional operations of Pampetrol. If an agreement is not reached during the final resolution of hierarchical resources, the matter will be referred to the judicial system.