ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM SPILLS OVER INTO HEATED TENASKA DISCUSSION

Mayoral, City Commission At Large "A" Candidates at Environmental Forum~L-R: John Cowen, Mayor Tony Martinez, Trey Mendez, Jessica Puente Bradshaw(No shows were Ismael Hinojosa, Carlos Guerrero and Charlie Cabler)

The Lower Rio Grande Valley Sierra Club and the advocacy group Save RGV from LNG hosted a campaign forum at the Brownsville Central Library Tuesday to press local candidates about their stance on environmental issues.

Climate change, renewable energy, liquefied natural gas and property values were some of the topics.

Mayor Tony Martinez eagerly reported that the city commission did not consider an anti-LNG resolution because such plants, if built, would be within the purview of the Port of Brownsville.

Mayoral candidate Trey Mendez, while not claiming familiarity with all the environmental issues, clearly expressed his opposition to huge tax abatements for LNG firms.

"That tax abatement by the Cameron County Commissioners Court was horrible," stated Mendez, referring to a $373 million abatement for Rio Grande LNG voted for by Alex Dominguez, Sofia Benavides, David Garcia and Gus Ruiz.(Annova LNG has since pressed Point Isabel School District for a $195 million tax relief abatement.)

At Large "A" candidate John Cowen said he would rely on rulings by the government entities entrusted with protecting the environment and would not oppose "economic development."

"I mean, I own over 100 acres of land near where those plants will be built, so this affects me," commented Cowen.

Jessica Puente Bradshaw, who, more than once, expressed her vision of Brownsville as a "resort city," said she would not "roll over" for LNG or the P.U.B., but would negotiate for beach cleanup and other environmental amenities.  

"If we need bridges, tunnels or whatever to ensure the habitat is not interfered with, let's negotiate those things as part of the deal," Bradshaw stated.

Toward the forum's end, Trey Mendez brought up the monies generated by the Tenaska rate increases, an issue that's been boiling under the surface of nearly every candidate forum this cycle.  

"In talking to a member of the P.U.B. Board, I learned that, so far, $90 million has been raised by the increases," Mendez stated as Mayor Martinez, seated next to him visibly shook his head.

After the forum, a spirited 20 minute discussion ensued.

"Tony, I noticed you were shaking your head when Trey mentioned the $90 million figure for the monies raised so far from the rate increases," I commented.

"Yes, Jim.  You know I keep up with this stuff and that's incorrect," replied the mayor.

"Well, then, could you give us a more accurate figure?" I asked.

"It's closer to 29 or 30 million," replied Martinez as Mendez approached.

"He got that $90 million figure from Jessica Tetreau," continued Martinez, pointing at Mendez.

"No, I didn't.  I swear," replied Mendez.

When I restated to Martinez what I'd written on my blog, that the ratepayers were being asked for $325 million or 65% of a power plant costing $500 million, but only receiving 25% of the power, Martinez looked puzzled.

"That's a really bad deal," I opined.

"Your $325 million figure, I remember that, but the plant was going to cost almost a million," replied the mayor.

"You mean a billion?" I questioned.

"Yes, a billion."

"You can say whatever you want about John Bruciak and those guys," the mayor continued, "but they do a great job."