[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 167 (Thursday, November 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        OPPOSE THE SIERRA JUAREZ CROSS-BORDER TRANSMISSION LINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2011

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Energia 
Sierra Juarez cross-border transmission line between California and 
Mexico. I would like to insert into the Record Senate Joint Resolution 
13, adopted by the California Senate.

 Senate Joint Resolution No. 13--Relative to Cross-border Transmission

           [Filed with Secretary of State September 15, 2011]


                      LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

     SJR 13, Vargas. Public utilities: cross-border transmission 
         lines.
       This measure would call upon the Secretary of the United 
     States Department of Energy to reject Sempra Energy's 
     application to construct the Energia Sierra Juarez cross-
     border transmission line between Mexico and California in 
     order to preserve jobs in California, promote energy 
     independence, and uphold California's labor and environmental 
     laws.
       Whereas, Cross-border transmission lines between California 
     and Mexico would facilitate the exportation of American jobs 
     by enabling energy companies to import electricity into the 
     United States instead of building energy projects here, where 
     the energy is being used, and thereby move our economy in the 
     wrong direction at a time when we should be putting Americans 
     back to work; and
       Whereas, The Obama administration has emphasized the need 
     for our nation to reduce our dependence on imported energy 
     because our nation's economic future and security depend on 
     developing energy infrastructure within our own borders; and
       Whereas, A core component of President Obama's electoral 
     campaign was his commitment to a green energy economy, which 
     would usher in a period of environmental advancement and 
     economic prosperity; and
       Whereas, Constructing cross-border transmission lines would 
     undermine the President's vision by enabling energy companies 
     to deliver electricity to the United States from foreign 
     facilities not built to American labor or environmental 
     standards; and
       Whereas, If we are to reclaim America's middle class, our 
     nation must eliminate opportunities for corporations to 
     export jobs, exploit workers, or raid natural resources: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature, to preserve jobs 
     in California, promote energy independence, and uphold 
     California's exemplary labor and environmental laws, calls 
     upon the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy 
     to reject Sempra Energy's application for a Presidential 
     permit to construct the Energia Sierra Juarez cross-border 
     transmission line between Mexico and San Diego County, 
     California; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the 
     United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to 
     each Senator and Representative from California in the 
     Congress of the United States, to the Chair of the Senate 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to the Chair of 
     the House Energy and Commerce Committee, to the Secretary of 
     the United States Department of Labor, and to the Secretary 
     of the United States Department of Energy.

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