2024-11-09 03:56:00
One of three companies providing pro-linoleum services to the hydrocarbon industry has filed an administrative claim with the Neuquén provincial government, challenging the abolition of the mandatory use of this ecological protection mechanism.
At least 500 employees produce blankets for AESA, a subsidiary of YPF, Environmental Services and Real Work, and their sources of employment will be threatened if the resolution signed by Environment Minister Leticia Esteves is implemented. The resolution repeals a previous resolution in 2014 requiring their use.
Because the making of blankets is handmade, labor is required for placement, removal, recycling, and manufacturing.
Environmental Services filed an administrative appeal with the Neuquén Department of Energy and Natural Resources challenging the authority and approval process of the resolution, which repealed three key previous regulations targeting waste management in Environmental Services and hydrocarbon activities.
Requesting the annulment of the resolution in accordance with Law No. 1284 of the Neuquén Administrative Procedure Code, arguing that the administrative act contains defects in jurisdiction, basis and procedure.
Questions were raised about the resolution being issued by an agency that lacks the necessary powers, since Law No. 3420 reserves environmental regulatory matters in hydrocarbon activities to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Resolutions rolled out within five days
They stated that the Ministry of Environment, which is responsible for the resolution, is limited to the support and assistance functions specified in the above-mentioned regulations.
Esteves’ resolution, published in the province’s official gazette, found that there was a clear passage from the beginning of the document to the time the demonstration occurred, from October 31 to November 5, that the situation was deemed abnormal.
When the blanket was ordered, the measure was met with suspicion because a company had been created that had a virtual monopoly and was linked to the oil union, then headed by the late Guillermo Pereira. Today it is real work and although it is still active in formal terms, there is almost no activity.
Initial determination speeds the realization of an invention. In 2014, Y-TEC began to develop lipophilic blankets with peanut shells, taking advantage of the abundance and low cost of peanut shells in Cordoba.
This material replaces Real Work’s traditional bird feathers, providing a more economical and sustainable option that reduces costs.
AESA, a subsidiary of YPF, has a large share of the market for sediments used to control leaks in Vaca Muerta.
Another company announced that it was awaiting a resolution from environmental authorities to be able to enter the market following an investigation by Conicet.
Ten years after the first measure, another repealed it.
The case highlights the tensions over environmental regulation in Neuquen’s hydrocarbons industry, where companies face changes to waste containment and treatment regulations without a clear transition or broad technical rationale that could affect the rights they receive rights and legal guarantees.
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#question #Vaca #Muertas #removal #linoleum
**Interview with Maria Gonzalez, Environmental Policy Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Maria. Can you provide us with an overview of the recent administrative claim filed by the company regarding the mandatory use of ecological blankets in the hydrocarbon industry?
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. Absolutely. The company is challenging a recent resolution from Neuquén’s Environment Minister, Leticia Esteves, that abolishes the mandatory use of these ecological blankets. The company argues that this decision threatens jobs for at least 500 employees who manufacture and handle these blankets, as their production relies heavily on manual labor.
**Editor:** What are the implications of this resolution on the environmental regulations that were previously in place?
**Maria Gonzalez:** The resolution not only repeals the requirement for the blankets, which are essential for waste management in hydrocarbon activities, but it also questions the authority under which it was issued. The company has alleged that the Ministry of Environment does not have the requisite powers to manage such regulations, as these are typically reserved for the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. This raises significant concerns about procedural integrity and compliance with the existing environmental laws.
**Editor:** That’s quite concerning. How are the employees responding to this potential job loss?
**Maria Gonzalez:** There’s a lot of anxiety within the workforce. These jobs have provided stable income for many families, and the sudden change has created a feeling of uncertainty. The employees and their representatives are advocating for the reinstatement of these regulations, highlighting both economic and environmental concerns.
**Editor:** What are the next steps for the company and the affected employees?
**Maria Gonzalez:** The company is pursuing an administrative appeal against the resolution, citing flaws in jurisdiction and procedure. They want the resolution annulled under the Neuquén Administrative Procedure Code. This legal battle will determine if they can reinstate the mandatory use of the blankets and protect the jobs at stake. Meanwhile, community support for the employees is gathering momentum, with calls for public demonstrations to highlight the importance of these jobs and ecological protections.
**Editor:** Thank you, Maria, for shedding light on this critical issue. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the developments.
**Maria Gonzalez:** Thank you for bringing attention to it. It’s vital that we stay informed about the intersection of environmental policy and economic impacts on communities.
