The Greenpeace ship, MV Arctic Sunrise, and a research vessel
set off from Ensenada, Mexico and San Diego this morning with the
Mexican and U.S. delegations respectively, to survey the islands.
U.S. state officials discussed the issues and concerns with expert
naturalists and engineers on board.
"The LNG facilities pose severe environmental and safety risks.
Mexico's coastal treasures should not be sacrificed for
California's energy consumption. The truth is California does not
need LNG. ChevronTexaco must invest in clean energy like wind and
solar," said Greenpeace U.S Energy Specialist John Coequyt.
This tour coincides with the release of a new report produced by
Greenpeace 'Liquid Natural Gas: A roadblock to a clean energy
future'. The report provides the first comprehensive analysis of
why LNG is unsafe, unnecessary and unjust. Greenpeace is asking
Californian policy makers not to commit the state to long-term
contracts to LNG from either Mexico or California. In addition, it
recommends that multinational companies and the Governments of
California and Mexico invest in clean energy technologies, like
wind and solar power, creating good jobs without risking the
public's health and safety.
"Mexico's renewable energy potential is currently underused and
completely ignored as the Mexican Government rushes to embrace the
wishes of multinational companies like ChevronTexaco, Shell, and
Sempra," said Arturo Moreno, Greenpeace Mexico Campaigner.
In 2003, the Mexican National Congress proposed that a Natural
Protected Area be created that includes the Coronados. However, as
the islands have yet to receive this official protection status and
with an LNG project looming, Greenpeace and Conservacion de Islas
placed a plaque on the island declaring it a Natural Protected
Area.
The 2001-2006 Energy Plan and the National Development Plan
never indicated that LNG would be part of Mexico's energy
portfolio. State and federal governments however are not adhering
to their plans and are now advocating for rapid approval for LNG.
Currently, Mexico produces enough energy for its own needs and can
meet future demands through investment in renewables; therefore the
proposed LNG facilities in Baja California are unnecessary, only
benefiting corporate business, predominantly in the U.S.
"We are at a crossroads in determining the fate of California's
energy future. I believe the responsibility of the California
Public Utilities Commission is to get the facts straight about the
environmental, economic, and operational impacts of LNG before
making profound changes to California's energy policies in order to
facilitate LNG," says Commissioner Loretta Lynch. Commissioner
Lynch was joined by Drew Bohan, California EPA, CEC Commissioner
Jim Boyd among others.
VVPR info: Photographs available from +1 202 421 3720'Liquid Natural Gas: A roadblock to a clean energy future' is available from www.greenpeaceusa.org/reports/lng'Gas Natural Licuado: El fin de la independencia energética' is available fromwww.greenpeace.org.mx