April 22, 2025

Earlier this month, the Chamber hosted a Green Agora meeting in partnership with Tijuana Innovadora to discuss ongoing collaborations amongst authorities and stakeholders on both sides of the border to mitigate transboundary pollution and ensure key players take part to address other water challenges in the region.

As part of the Chamber’s annual binational delegation to D.C., delegates raised the urgency of critical wastewater infrastructure projects to address the transboundary polluted flows, including the expansion and improvements of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Ysidro. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to visit the region to address permanent solutions. The agenda this week included a tour of infrastructure projects and meetings with regional leaders and authorities from both sides of the border including upcoming Chamber President & CEO Chris Cate.

On regional efforts, Imperial Beach City Council introduced a Resolution in attempt to hold Mexican authorities accountable for transboundary polluted flows. Chamber Policy Advisor Lauren Cazares raised concern on language within the resolution and urged to remove a section aiming to limit access (operations) across land ports of entry. The resolution passed with all council members voting in favor and Mayor Aguirre voting against the resolution. The Chamber stands by the belief that closing our borders is not the solution as limiting activity at our ports of entry is detrimental to our region’s economy, workforce, and binational community.