Plan to Import Energy Would Cost 15,000 Jobs
Sempra Energy’s proposal to build a new transmission line to import electricity into the United States from green energy generators located in Mexico would cost as many as 15,000 U.S. jobs and nearly $300 million in lost local, state and federal tax revenue, according to a new report.
A huge 90 percent of the direct job losses would occur in Imperial County, Calif., which had the highest unemployment rate in the nation in April 2011 at 27.9 percent.
Bob Balgenorth, president of the California State Building and Construction Trades Council, said the report confirms what workers have known all along: Sempra’s plan is a job killer.
$14 Million for Utility Giant Who Wants to Cut Workers’ Pensions
For several months, members of the Utility Workers (UWUA) have been holding the line on givebacks and demanding a decent contract at Southern California Gas Co. (SoCal). But rather than recognizing the value of its workers, management is trying to lower pensions, jack up health care premiums and cut sick leave.
It’s not that SoCal, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, can’t afford to treat its employees well. In 2007, Sempra had more than $11 billion in revenue and its CEO Donald Felsinger raked in more than $14 million in salary and benefits.
