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Mexico Air Quality, Environmental Improvement Plan

Work helps meet environment agenda set by United States, Canada, Mexico

Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), met October 19 in Mexico to announce policy changes that will improve air quality for 12 million residents along the U.S.-Mexico border.

U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri joined Secretary Jose Luis Luege Tamargo of SEMARNAT in announcing Mexico's plan to reduce aggressively sulfur levels in gasoline and diesel fuel beginning in 2006.

Mexico also is exploring accelerated introduction of these cleaner, reduced-sulfur fuels in key areas of the country, including along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The announcement is the most important achievement to date in meeting the environmental agenda developed under the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America, signed in March by President Bush, President Vicente Fox of Mexico and Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada. (See related article.)

The SPP is an effort to address the threat of terrorism and enhance North American security, competitiveness and quality of life.

"Air pollution knows no borders, and Mexico is taking a great step by joining the U.S. in efforts to improve air quality," said EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, "helping to protect our shared environment and the health of millions of families throughout the border region."

Officials also signed a letter of intent for cooperation on diesel emission reduction.

Under the Border 2012 San Diego/Tijuana Clean Diesel Demonstration Project, diesel trucks are being retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalysts or particulate filters.

Used in combination with ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, the retrofitted trucks will substantially reduce pollution from heavy-duty trucks based in Tijuana, Mexico.

Three trucks had retrofits installed in September; 40 additional trucks will be retrofitted by fall 2006.

EPA Border 2012 is a 10-year environmental program that emphasizes measurable results, public participation and timely access to environmental information.

The EPA has regulated highway diesel fuel quality since 1993; to improve U.S. air quality, the agency recently established low-sulfur requirements in diesel fuel that take effect in 2006.

Emissions from diesel engines -- especially microscopic soot called particulate matter -- create serious health problems, especially for children and the elderly.

Diesel exhaust contributes to elevated levels of smog and particulate-matter pollution.

See text of the EPA press release

Source: U.S. Department of State