Shell Argentina denies pollution charges - Reuters

Source: Reuters

Shell Argentina denies pollution charges
Thu Sep 6, 2007 6:31PM EDT

By Lucas Bergman

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Shell defended its environmental
record in Argentina on Thursday and warned of possible
domestic energy shortages after the Argentine government
shut the company's only refinery in South America on charges
of pollution.

The closure marked an escalation of tensions between Royal
Dutch Shell and the center-left government of President Nestor
Kirchner. The two sides have repeatedly clashed over energy
pricing and supplies.

"None of our soil samples indicated that our contamination
levels are above acceptable levels for industrial areas," Shell
Argentina President Juan Jose Aranguren told reporters.

He said the company will call on the government to reconsider
its decision to close the refinery on the outskirts of Buenos
Aires, where Shell refines nearly 100,000 barrels of crude oil
a day, mostly destined for the domestic market.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0639511320070906