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California-Mexico Border Activities Update

This update provides an overview of the social, economic, and political contrasts in the California-Mexico border region, along with the shared environmental problems. It discusses the current population growth, air quality monitoring, assessment of air quality standards, toxic air contaminants, pollution sources, and ongoing coordination efforts to address environmental concerns, specifically focusing on power plants.

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California-Mexico Border Activities Update

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  1. California-MexicoBorder Activities Update Gabriel RuizBorder Coordinator California Air Resources Board March 21, 2002

  2. Border Region Overview • Social, economic and political contrasts • Fast growth rate • Shared environmental problems • Two distinct binational air basins

  3. Brawley22,000 Imperial7,500 Population Trends Holtville5,600 San Diego1,200,000 El Centro38,000 Calexico27,000 Tecate75,000 Tijuana1,200,000 Current Annual Population Growth San Diego County 2,813,800 1.3% Municipality of Tijuana 1,210,800 5.0% Imperial County 142,400 3.0% Municipality of Mexicali 764,600 2.4% Mexicali750,000 Rosarito63,000

  4. Air Quality Monitoring • Six stations in Tijuana (initiated 1996) • Six stations in Mexicali (1997) • Two stations in Calexico (1997) • One station in Tecate (2000) • Funded by U.S. EPA

  5. San Diego attains national air quality standards for O3, CO, and PM10 Tijuana exceeds CO and PM10 standards Both areas exceed O3, CO, and PM10 standards High levels of toxic air contaminants in both areas Air Quality Assessment San Diego-Tijuana Imperial Valley-Mexicali

  6. Ozone • San Diego County attained U.S. national standard in 2001 • No exceedances recorded in Tijuana from 1998 to 2000 • Average of 11 exceedances per year in Imperial County • Average of 14 exceedances per year in Mexicali

  7. Days Exceeding National Ozone Standard

  8. Carbon Monoxide • San Diego: no exceedances since 1990 • Tijuana averaged 3 exceedances per year in 1998-2000 • Imperial County leads the state in annual exceedances • Mexicali averaged 73 exceedances per year in 1998-2000

  9. Days Exceeding National CO 8-Hour Standard

  10. PM10 Exceedances • San Diego: no exceedances of the national 24-hour standard since 1993 • Tijuana averaged 12 exceedances per year in 1998-2000 • Imperial County leads the state in annual exceedances • Mexicali averaged 183 exceedances per year in 1998-2000

  11. Days Exceeding National PM10 Standard* *Calculated from 1-in-6 day sampling

  12. Calexico Toxic Air Contaminants Statewide Ranking byAverage Concentration 1998 1999 2000 Benzene 3 1 2 1,3-butadiene 5 2 3 Acetaldehyde 6 2 4 Formaldehyde 8 4 3

  13. Benzene Concentrations

  14. Pollution Sources • Motor vehicles are primary source of ozone precursors, CO, and toxics • Stationary sources also contribute ozone precursors and possibly toxics • Unpaved roads and windblown emissions are primary contributors to particulate pollution

  15. Aerial view of the international borderlooking from Imperial County to Mexicali

  16. ARB Border Program Activities • Participate in U.S. EPA, Cal/EPA border environmental working groups • Establish cooperative relationships • Operate air monitoring network • Assist in development of air quality strategies

  17. Tijuana Smog CheckPilot Project • Collaborative effort between Cal/EPA, BAR, and City of Tijuana • Initial application to city-owned fleet • Possible expansion to private fleets, public transportation, and motorists • State of Baja California and City of Mexicali are monitoring progress

  18. Heavy Duty Diesel Inspections • Inspections required by State law • Full-time crew at Otay Mesa and Calexico • 50% initial failure rate • 12% current failure rate

  19. Border Area Power Plants

  20. Border Area Power Plants Under Development

  21. Emission Limits(parts per million) Criteria NOX CO California CA BACT 2.5 6.0 Arizona BACT 2.5 6.0 Mexico: Critical Zone* 42 No limit Mexico: Rest of 143 No limit Border Area *Tijuana

  22. Power GenerationEnvironmental Concerns • Air pollution impacts • Water supply and water quality impacts • Community health effects • Diminished potential for sustainable growth

  23. Power PlantCoordination Efforts • Participation in discussions with project proponents • Joint declaration for Border States Governors Conference • U.S. EPA and SEMARNAT coordination meeting in April, 2002

  24. Summary • Imperial County border communities trail the state in air quality improvements • Spillover effect from Mexicali is evident • Cross-border partnerships have resulted in air quality improvement strategies • Continued binational cooperation is necessary

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