The tension between President
Javier Milei
and the provinces added a new chapter.
The governors of Río Negro and Neuquén sent document letters
to the national government
for the hydroelectric concessions.
In a joint action, Alberto Weretilneck and Rolando Figueroa affirmed that natural resources "are the responsibility of the provinces."
According to the Rio Negro government in a statement, the claim is "in defense of the natural resources of the provinces and seeking to establish a clear precedent."
He also specified that "the Rio Negro president sent a document letter addressed to the Ministry of the Interior, based on articles 1, 5, 121 and 124 of the National Constitution, which establish the original domain of the provinces over their natural resources, as well as in articles 70, 71 and 81 of the Constitution of the Province of Río Negro, which reinforce the original ownership of the natural resources in its territory, making clear the power of the province to control and regulate the use of these resources".
For its part, the Neuquén government also "sent a letter document to the Secretary of Energy of the Nation, Eduardo Rodríguez Chirillo, in which it indicates that due to the lack of responses and evasion on the part of the National State, the province is forced to intimate and demand that they refrain from making any type of decision or measure regarding the dams, without first giving participation to the province."
In this framework, the Neuquén president "referred to the hydroelectric exploitation of the Limay and Neuquén rivers and specifically to the concessions of El Chocón, Piedra del Águila, Alicurá, Cerros Colorados and Arroyito, whose transition periods were recently extended."
Thus, both governments requested that "the National State, and its agencies, refrain from granting any type of concession, extension or authorization related to the exploitation of said hydroelectric complexes without previously obtaining the consent of the provinces."
The notifications warn that "any unilateral action by the national government will be considered invalid and will lack rights vis-à-vis the province."
"In addition, the possibility of initiating legal actions against potential concessionaires or exploiters of the resources is highlighted, if provincial provisions are not respected," the statement stated.
The action by the provinces that own the natural resources establishes an important precedent in the relationship between the central power and the provincial states in matters of natural resource management.
Likewise, it demonstrates the firm determination to protect its interests and exercise its autonomy in this crucial area for its development and sustainability.
"The governors aspire to the possibility of opening a constructive dialogue with the central government that respects constitutional principles and provincial powers, in order to find solutions that benefit both parties and promote responsible use of natural resources in the region," concluded the statement.
Both hydroelectric complexes were concessioned to private companies in 1993 and at the end of last year the contracts came to an end.
Prior to this, former Minister of Economy Sergio Massa defined a 60-day extension as a transition period before granting the new concessions.
The expired contracts were granted a year before the reform of the National Constitution that granted power over natural resources to the provincial states.
Now Neuquén and Río Negro want to participate in the new tenders.
News in development
DP