Californian senators seek to limit Mexico utility emissions
Date: 13-Jan-03
Country: USA
Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer said the legislation applies to natural gas-fired generators within 50 miles of the California-Mexico border that produce over 50 megawatts of electricity.
The legislation would force two new plants planned in Mexicali, Mexico, to comply with California's air quality rules, which are among the nation's most stringent.
"This measure will protect those living along the ... border from harmful power plant emissions," Feinstein said.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
Natural gas is a key fuel for many power plants. Tight natural gas supplies contributed to California's power crisis of 2000-01, which spurred blackouts and bankruptcy of the state's biggest utility.
The two plants are sited to be built across the border from Imperial Valley, California, which has some of the state's worst air quality, Feinstein said.
One plant, owned by a unit of California-based Sempra Energy (SRE.N), will use pollution-reduction technology to comply with guidelines. The other, to be built by Burlington, Massachusetts-based InterGen, will not, Feinstein said.
InterGen is a joint venture between Royal Dutch/Shell Group (RD.AS) and privately held construction firm Bechtel Group Inc.
"I believe these new plants must meet California emission standards," she said.
Feinstein said she wrote to InterGen president Carlos Riva last year urging him to comply with California emission rules.
InterGen said two units of its 1,000-megawatt La Rosita facility being built to export power to California will have equipment to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
The company said it is in discussions with Mexican officials to place similar equipment on two plant units planned to serve Mexican customers.
La Rosita will be "one of the most environmentally advanced power facilities in Mexico," the firm said in a statement.
InterGen said it hopes to activate the plant this summer.