United Stales
Environmental Protection
Agency
Communications, Education,
And Public Affairs
(A-107)
SEPA Environmental News
. STATEMENT OF CAROL M. BROWNER
ADMINISTRATOR
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
October 27, 1993
San Francisco
I am pleased to join Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen in
announcing a new agreement between Mexico and the United States
that will deliver billions of dollars in much-needed financing
for environmental infrastructure projects along our common
border, as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA).
The environmental conditions along the U.S.-Mexico border that
result from inadequate infrastructure cure of grave concern to the
Clinton Administration. The health of U.S. citizens is at stake,
and the status quo along the border is unacceptable. This
agreement provides the resources needed to dramatically increase
our ability to tackle these serious problems.
This agreement not only provides vital financing for border
communities, but also enables those communities to participate
directly in developing the projects. And by generating new
financing for environmental technology, this agreement will
result in new jobs for Americans.
The agreement creates two innovative new institutions: A
binational Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC)
will serve as the hub for coordinating border financing from a
variety of sources, and will assist communities in project
development. The Board overseeing the BECC will be composed of
ten individuals, most of whom will come from the border states.
A Public Advisory Council can include representatives from
environmental and community groups from both sides of the border.
In addition, a North American Development Bank (NADBank),
capitalized in equal shares by the U.S. and Mexico, will provide
$2 billion or more in loans and guarantees certified by the BECC
for environmental infrastructure. In addition* 10% of NADBank
capital will be available for NAFTA-related community adjustment
and investment programs.
The BECC and the NADBank will work in partnership with border
communities to solve environmental problems long ignored, and to
make environmental protection at the border a reality.
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