Supporting a Fracking Challenge in Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza’s fracking regulations were fast tracked with little-to-no prior assessment as to how the practice might pollute Mendoza’s precious water sources, cause seismic activity, or spread radioactive material, among other impacts.

Regional Office / Program

Case Overview

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.

A fracking site in Vaca Muerta, Argentina.
A fracking site in Vaca Muerta, Argentina. (Cristian Martin / Getty Images)

Case Updates

January 4, 2021 Press Release

Earthjustice Supports Fracking Challenge in Mendoza, Argentina

Earthjustice has filed an amicus brief challenging Argentinian regulations that allow fracking in Mendoza.

December 16, 2020 document

Mendoza, Argentina Fracking Case Amicus Brief

An amicus brief to support a legal challenge to 2018 provincial regulations authorizing fracking in Mendoza, Argentina.