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By David Biller / Business News Americas
Thursday, August 18, 2011 17:05

The joint resolution introduced earlier this week to California's state legislature in opposition to San Diego-based firm Sempra Energy's (NYSE:SRE) Sierra Juárez wind project in Mexico is "shameful" and based on prioritizing labor union interests over California's renewable energy goals, Scott Crider, the director of external affairs for subsidiary Sempra Generation, told BNamericas.

The resolution would call upon the US Department of Energy (DOE) to reject Sempra's application for a presidential permit to construct the necessary cross-border transmission line on the grounds that it would outsource jobs from California's Imperial County to Baja California state. Senator Vargas, who presented the resolution, cited a study that claimed 600 construction jobs would be outsourced to Mexico for five years.

"He is prioritizing the interest of labor unions who are opposed to this project over the interest of developers that are trying to build renewable energy projects that are going to help reduce pollutants, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help the state meet its renewable energy goals," Crider said.

California's renewable portfolio standards dictate that the state's utilities must provide 33% renewable energy by 2020.

"This is all political for him. The DOE is going to make a decision that's based on three years of research and assessment, and based upon a very thorough environmental impact study that was produced. To have Sacramento [California's capital] politicians enter the process at the last minute at the behest of a special interest group is quite shameful," Crider said, adding that Sempra was in contact with Vargas' office before he presented the resolution.

Senator Vargas' office had not responded to BNamericas' request for comment as of press time.

"We can't sit back and watch thousands of jobs be outsourced to Mexico while Imperial County is experiencing some of the worst unemployment in the United States," Vargas said in a press release.

"I'm urging our federal government to invest in our local workforce. Families in Imperial County need these jobs and we should fight hard to keep them!"

Sempra Generation and BP Wind will be equal partners in development of the Energía Sierra Juárez wind project's 156MW first phase, which will sell power to Sempra-owned utility SDG&E. The project is planned for Ejido Jacumé, in the La Rumorosa area of the Sierra Juárez mountain range, some 113km east of San Diego.

Sempra is expecting the release of the final environmental impact study in late Q3 or early Q4, and the DOE's decision regarding the permit by year-end, Crider said.

Sempra said earlier this year that it aims to begin construction next year and operations in 2013. Sempra has the potential of eventually generating 1.2GW from the area.

In Mexico, Sempra already operates the 625MW Mexicali thermoelectric plant in Baja California that connects to the US via a 15km transmission line.


source...

This really is a good deal for Sempra - they will be selling energy to themselves across the border...

Is this a "family feud"...unions vs greenies?

Originally Posted by dusty

Is this a "family feud"...unions vs greenies?

Looks like it.

Of course. Fundamentally this is just like all the other outsourcing of jobs.

Originally Posted by Bajahowodd

Of course. Fundamentally this is just like all the other outsourcing of jobs.

Just goes to show that when push comes to shove, money has no political colors other than whichever side their lobbyists bought (this election cycle).