Author(s)

M. Quintero-Núñez, E. C. Nieblas-Ortíz, N. Velásquez-Limón & O. R. García-Cueto

Abstract

The foreign investment to generate power has increased in the state of Baja California, Mexico, based on the construction of private power plants near the border. Less compliance to environmental regulations and procedures in Mexico compared with those in the USA, encourage the interest of investors in the construction of this type of plants. Non-attainment of the air quality regulations proposed by both federal administrations has been detected in Tijuana–San Diego and Mexicali–Imperial. It is suggested the creation of a binational management mechanism for the common airshed, which would develop methods to establish a procedure for the strategic transborder environmental assessment, allowing the introduction of new industries without an increment in the volume of emissions or more deterioration in the air quality of the area. The establishment of policies such as net zero emissions, a common airshed between two border cities, the use of the Best Available Technology (BAT) to minimize emissions to the atmosphere and emission reduction credit are very much recommended. Keywords: common airshed, strategic transborder environmental assessment, Mexicali–Imperial.

Keywords

common airshed, strategic transborder environmental assessment, Mexicali–Imperial