title: Environmental impact assessment for alternative-energy power plants in México.
abstract: Ten Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR) were reviewed for projects involving alternative power plants in Mexico developed during the last twelve years. Our analysis focused on the methods used to assess the impacts produced by hydroelectric and geothermal power projects. These methods used to assess impacts in EIARs ranged from the most simple, descriptive criteria, to quantitative models. These methods are not concordant with the level of the EIAR required by the environmental authority or even, with the kind of project developed. It is concluded that there is no correlation between the tools used to assess impacts and the assigned type of the EIAR. Because the methods to assess impacts produced by these power projects have not changed during 2000 years, we propose a quantitative method, based on ecological criteria and tools, to assess the impacts produced by hydroelectric and geothermal plants, according to the specific characteristics of the project. The proposed method is supported by environmental norms, and can assist environmental authorities in assigning the correct level and tools to be applied to hydroelectric and geothermal projects. The proposed method can be adapted to other production activities in Mexico and to other countries.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S. C. Mar Bermejo 195, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, C. P. 23090 La Paz, B. C. S. 23090, Mexico.
authors.forename: María E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: González-Avila
authors.forename: Luis Felipe
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Beltrán-Morales
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Braker
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortega-Rubio
mesh_terms: D004782:Environmental Health; D008800:Mexico; D011210:Power Plants