In support of our Argentinian partner OIKOS’s lawsuit, Earthjustice filed a “friend of the court” (amicus curiae) brief challenging Mendoza regulations that allow unconventional oil and gas drilling, also known as “fracking.”

We provide the Mendoza Supreme Court with numerous examples from scientific and government studies on the experience of fracking in the United States and fracking’s potential to cause grave and irreversible harm.

The precautionary principle, a legal doctrine in Argentinian and international law, emphasizes caution and review before jumping into new practices that may cause harm such as fracking. We argue that the precautionary principle requires that the government take strong precautions before authorizing new fracking projects in the province.

If successful, this lawsuit will halt fracking in the province until the government conducts a complete assessment of the practice’s environmental impacts.

OIKOS’s lawsuit is currently before the Mendoza Supreme Court of Justice.