The Legislature approved the motion of Martínez and Peralta requesting the return of the dams to Neuquén

This is a machine translation of the original release, issued in Spanish.

PRESS RELEASE from Darío Martínez, deputy of the Neuquén legislature
August 8, 2024

The provincial legislature approved in today's session a declaration requesting the Chamber of Deputies of the Nation to deal with the projects referring to the transfer of the dams to the province of Neuquén. Among the initiatives with parliamentary status in the lower house, the one presented by the national deputy from Neuquén Pablo Todero (Unión por la Patria) stands out, which seeks to ensure the full application of the principle enshrined in article 124 of the National Constitution, which recognizes the domain of the provinces over their natural resources.

The approved project was initially presented by Deputy Darío Martínez and defended in the commission by Deputy Darío “Pampa” Peralta, from Unión por la Patria, who drafted a dispatch proposal that was approved by the Hydrocarbons Commission of the provincial Legislature. The project requests the Chamber of Deputies of the Nation to deal with all projects that seek to transfer the administration of the dams to the province.

Deputy Peralta said: “What we are asking for is strict justice, that the resources be transferred to the provinces, so that they are the ones who decide what is the best way to manage them.” He also stressed: “The resource belongs to the people of Neuquén, the dams are on the rivers owned by the province, and the investment that the Nation made in the infrastructure has been largely amortized, so it is also appropriate that they be given away for free.”

Peralta stressed Neuquén's contribution to the country, especially in the energy sector, and added: "The Legislature has already expressed its position, now we need Governor Rolando Figueroa to take these tools and stand up to the National Government to demand what belongs to the people of Neuquén."

Once approved, the communication will be sent to the President of the Chamber of Deputies with a copy to the presidents of each block and to the Energy Commission to express to the legislators the will of the province of Neuquén to move forward with the transfer of the power plants to the provinces.