Senators Feinstein and Boxer Introduce Bill to Require
Mexican Border Power Plants to Meet Clean Air Standards
June 5, 2002

Washington, DC - Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) introduced legislation today to prevent power plants along the California-Mexico border from using natural gas from the United States unless these plants agree to comply with California emissions standards.

"It is not unreasonable to ensure that companies making money in the California energy market meet strict environmental standards," Senator Feinstein said. "This measure will protect those living along the California-Mexico border from harmful power plant emissions."

A companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.). The legislation applies only to natural gas-powered generators that are located within 50 miles of the border, that produce more than 50 megawatts of energy, and that went online after January 1, 2002.

Natural gas exports from the United States will be prohibited for use in Mexico unless generators meet regional U.S. air emissions standards.

"This legislation will help ensure power plants along the border employ the best technology available to control pollution in Southern California and other border areas," Senator Feinstein said.

"Currently there are two new power plants planned for Mexicali, Mexico -- a city right across the border from Imperial County, California. Since Imperial County has some of the worst air quality in the United States and one of the highest childhood asthma rates in the state, I believe these new plants must meet California emission standards."

"One of the Mexicali plants, which is being built by Sempra Energy, will have pollution mitigation technology to minimize the impact of air pollution on the residents of the Imperial Valley. However, the other plant, to be built by InterGen, will not."

"I am introducing this legislation today to make sure any plant that comes online along the California-Mexican border meets the same air quality standards as plants in California would. The residents of Imperial County and the entire Southern California region deserve nothing less."

"I support the development of new energy projects for California because I believe we need to bring more power online. However, I do not believe the fact that we need more power in California should allow companies to take advantage of this need and use it as an excuse to devote less attention to clean air and public health."

On June 4, Senator Feinstein wrote to InterGen executives to urge them to comply with California air emissions standards.

"I strongly believe that the residents of both Southern California and Mexico deserve a good corporate citizen like InterGen to install the best technology available to mitigate emissions and protect public health," Senator Feinstein said in her letter to Carlos A. Riva, President and CEO of InterGen, based in Burlington, MA.

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