[Futurework] Globalization's blurring of borders

[Karen Watters Cole]

Many new power plants are being built over the border in Mexico.  PBS Newshour had a segment on this last night, Thursday 01.02.03.   http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/jan-june03/power_1-2.html   “At latest count, there are 22 proposed energy projects along the U.S./Mexico border. Baja, California, markets itself as a workshop of the global economy. Officials want Baja to attract heavy manufacturing, and that will take more energy.”   Key words: LNG, liquefied natural gas plants Shell, Sempra, Intergen   Key point:  power plants in Mexico are not subjected to the same pollution control standards as those within US borders.  US companies avoid those annoying “offset payments” for pollution control equipment and new construction.  For example, Intergen’s plant in Mexico will put out 10 times more pollution than a US plant because it is only outfitting half of its plant with pollution control equipment.    About half of the energy produced from the Mexican plants will be shipped north across the border.  So, are they Mexican or American plants?    Question:  What are the chances that the US and Mexico will establish companion environmental standards, unlike the EU, as Keith reports?  Did Vincent Fox take the snubs by Bush after their initial lovefest because of the corporate investment in Mexican real estate and jobs?  Did the sugar refining deal sweeten the deal?  Which way do the jet stream winds blow down there?    Karen Watters Cole East of Portland, West of Mt Hood Outgoing mail scanned by NAV 2002