March 23, 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continuing to advance the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Tijuana River Watershed Project. As you may recall, EPA announced in November that a suite of projects, referred to as the Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution, would move forward to the environmental analysis phase to fulfill National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.

 The EPA technical team is currently working on implementing two core processes in parallel – NEPA and binational meetings with Mexico – as follows:  

• To expedite the NEPA process, EPA is pursuing a Programmatic EIS (PEIS) to move projects requiring less complex environmental analysis, such as the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, to the design and construction stages, potentially in early 2023.  A major milestone for the NEPA work is anticipated this summer when we expect to issue a draft PEIS for public comment and hold a public comment meeting. We invite you to provide a comment on the draft PEIS and will announce the public comment period via this listserv, in addition to other outlets.   

• EPA is holding productive meetings with Mexico to implement a comprehensive solution to transboundary flows that includes agreement on projects and cost-sharing for construction and operations and maintenance. These meetings are held biweekly and will lead to agreements that are memorialized in writing. We are working closely with Mexico to advance the negotiations as quickly as possible and are hopeful that a binational announcement will be forthcoming later this summer.   

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March 23, 2022

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas, met with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Mexican Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard, on a visit to address joint efforts on migration and their commitment to accelerating efforts for the Otay II Land Port of entry to enhance security and facilitate trade. 

Readout of Secretary Mayorkas’s Visit to Mexico and Costa Rica

March 23, 2022

The Chamber Hosted an IBA Forum where guest speakers provided an overview of their significant efforts to facilitate trade, improve border infrastructure, and binational diplomacy of their respective border region. 

Check out our next IBA Forum

March 23, 2022

California cities and counties are pushing for lower cannabis tax rates, arguing that high taxes on regulated businesses are hurting supply chains and strengthening the illicit market. Although there are four cannabis tax-related bills introduced this legislative session, local governments are moving faster. In fact, San Diego made the list of fourteen California localities that have passed forms of cannabis tax reductions. 

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March 23, 2022

VP of  Public Affairs, Stefanie Benvenuto is taking her talents to the TV as Channel 8 has invited the Chamber to do a weekly interview segment on their 4:00 p.m. program about business issues. 

Check out last week’s Checking in with the Chamber segment, which includes updates to Cal/OSHA guidance, our upcoming Mission to Washington DC delegation trip, and information on the CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund. 

March 23, 2022

On February 28, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to update the Cal/OSHA ETS to align with the CDPH Face Covering Guidance. This aligns with all requirements for the general public and employees in the state. This EO also extended the current Cal/OSHA ETS through the end of the year.

The deadline for OSHSB to adopt the third readoption of the Emergency Temporary Standards is fast approaching. CDPH has just issued updated public health guidance, including changes to the face coverings guidance, in response to recently emerging evidence and data; and additional time to finalize the third readoption will maximize the degree of alignment between the Emergency Temporary Standards and current public health guidelines and recommendations.

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