Buenos Aires, Dec. 20 (NA) – The modification of the Glaciers Law is one of the most important topics being debated in the Senate since the start of the extraordinary session period last week. The La Libertad Avanza (LLA) bloc is promoting the reform of the regulation, while part of the opposition, particularly Unión por la Patria (UxP), defends its preservation to conserve freshwater reserves for human consumption, which is the main objective of the law. The ruling party intends to modify the law in order to enable projects linked to large-scale mining, and thus facilitate economic development, especially in the hydrocarbon sectors. The LLA bloc in the upper house stated that the current law generates 'legal uncertainty and paralysis of investments,' so the project they are pushing from the Executive branch seeks to restrict the object of protection only to those glaciers that 'fulfill an effective and strategic hydrological function' and, at the same time, allow productive activities in protected areas. Legislative sources indicated to the Argentine News Agency that this modification seeks to respect federalism and the autonomy of each of the provinces to decide on their natural resources, a demand shared by territories with possible Lithium and Copper exploitation, such as San Juan, Catamarca, and Jujuy. Senators opposing the government of Javier Milei are those who reject this initiative, but those who are against it are the members of UxP, despite the existence of internal divisions. Meanwhile, environmental organizations have warned senators that the changes proposed by LLA put strategic freshwater reserves at risk, which the current law aims to protect. The Positions The Peronist bloc, led by Senator José Mayans, maintains a critical position that aligns with union sectors and seeks to protect water resources. Although Peronism, for the most part, questions the proposed reform, there are senators from mining provinces like San Juan or Catamarca who support stronger restrictions in protected areas to allow the projects they intend to carry out. These legislators are 'under pressure' to modify the law, as the current regulation hinders mining projects and sparks a debate on whether to position oneself in favor of productive development or the environment. For now, the opposition bloc will avoid a reform that completely eliminates the law and will seek a document that prioritizes environmental protection without leaving aside economic development, although provincial positions divide the inter-bloc. The official text The current law establishes broad protection that safeguards both glaciers and the periglacial environment, such as frozen soils that also regulate water, and prohibits activities that affect their integrity, specifically mining and hydrocarbon exploration in the affected areas. Senators who support the modification argue that it seeks to provide 'technical certainty' to reconcile economic development with environmental protection, without eliminating audits. For now, the reform bill sent by the Government has already received a favorable opinion in the plenary session of Senate committees last Friday, and it was decided that the reform will be debated on Feb. 10 of next year.
