While local and state permitting is still being sought, the proposed ChevronTexaco liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal on the leeward side of the Coronado Islands off the North Baja Pacific Coast have been targeted by environmental groups that are alleging the Mexican federal government did not adequately review the potential impact of the proposed terminal operation on local wildlife.

Mexican and international environmental organizations has asked the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation to assess impacts and “shine a light on” ChevronTexaco’s proposed Coronado Islands facility. A Houston-based ChevronTexaco spokesperson said the company has fully complied with all applications of environmental regulations both for the Mexican government and for the standards of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, the company pointed out, the concern of the environmental groups is aimed at the federal Mexican government — not at ChevronTexaco.

“Our facility in Baja California will thoroughly comply with measures that will contribute to the protection of the environment,” said the ChevronTexaco spokesperson. “It has been our long-held policy to develop these projects in an environmentally sound and responsible manner.”

The U.S. oil/gas company’s spokesperson said the company is committed to mitigate any environmental impacts “in full compliance with the permit conditions.” Chevron has the federal permits, but not the state-local ones. “One of the things we will do is work in close collaboration with the Mexican government to assure the appropriate mitigation is handled.”

Chevron is committed to minimizing impact on any wildlife, including birds and sea life, the spokesperson said.

The environmental groups last Tuesday filed a so-called “citizens’ submission” with the Montreal-based environmental commission, alleging that Mexico’s government hasn’t adequately applied its environmental regulations. A representative for Greenpeace’s energy/climate change campaign told news media that ChevronTexas is trying to “evade” U.S. regulations by siting in Mexico.

A head of a local environmental/conservation group for the Coronado Islands contends that there are 10 species of plants and animals that are not found anywhere else in the world. The Los Angeles Audubon Society, Biological Diversity Centre, and American Bird Conservancy are among the groups asking the North American commission to act.

ChevronTexaco’s spokesperson, however, said the company is doing extensive studies on the impact of projected noise and lights on the local wildlife, and will use that to develop mitigation measure the company intends to take. “We have ongoing studies to help minimize the impact,” the spokesperson said.

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