Ten U.S. and Mexican states making up the Border Governors Conference concluded their three-day meeting Friday by signing joint commitments to step up cooperative energy, environmental and economic development efforts, among others. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger played host at Universal Studios Hollywood, adding some special effects with a Green Tech Expo Thursday and a new agreement on pushing green projects in Mexico.

Late Friday the California Climate Action Registry, the nonprofit voluntary tracking service for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. signed a memorandum of understanding with the 10 member border states (six in Mexico, four in the United States) to help Mexico to “identify and advance” various environmental/energy initiatives. In addition, each of the state’s leaders signed another declaration covering future efforts in a half-dozen other areas, including immigration and agriculture.

Schwarzenegger said the border governors’ group a year earlier when it met in Sonora, Mexico agreed to address global warming, and he complimented each of the states for responding with what he called “passion and determination and action to protect our air and water.” He specifically thanked the states for making “such a great commitment on renewable energy.”

“The joint declaration that we are also signing will challenge us even further on important issues, such as agriculture, education, health/safety and border security,” in addition to environmental, economic and energy issues, Schwarzenegger said.

The energy section of the declaration focused on three areas of commitment:

Member states are Arizona, Baja California, California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, New Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Tamaulipas and Texas. More information on the Border Governors Conferences can be found at the website: www.bordergovernors.ca.gov.

Schwarzenegger said the organization plans to meet again in Washington, DC, and follow that with a meeting in Mexico City, “going back and forth [to the respective national capitals] to really move the agenda forward.” Various U.S. and Mexican federal officials attended the three-day conference.

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