El Pasoans Glad ASARCO Not Reopening
February 4, 2009
ASARCO managers said they are not reopening because of a slumping economy. However, Shapleigh's office said that the United States Environmental Protection Agency wrote two letters stating that ASARCO’s air quality permits violated federal environmental standards.
Written by Miri Marshall, KFOX TV El Paso
EL PASO, Texas -- It's been a long fought battle for the community and legislatures who want to keep ASARCO closed. On Tuesday, they got a victory. ASARCO officials announced that they are not reopening the copper smelter plant in El Paso.
"I'm pleased that they're not going to reopen again, that they are not going to be adding contaminants in the air," said Kerry Doyle, who lives in Downtown El Paso.
State Senator Elliot Shapleigh has been a key opponent of the plant’s reopening.
"I am absolutely elated. It's a fantastic day for El Paso. We've worked on this now for eight years," Shapleigh told KFOX.
ASARCO managers said they are not reopening because of a slumping economy. However, Shapleigh's office said that the United States Environmental Protection Agency wrote two letters stating that ASARCO’s air quality permits violated federal environmental standards.
The EPA sent the letters to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The EPA said ASARCO can not operate under "grandfathered permits" that they received in February 2008. TCEQ renewed ASARCO’s air quality permit in February 2008. The EPA said air quality standards have been revised since ASARCO last operated.
"I guess if you could say anything with the world economy crashing the way it has, it’s that this might be the only silver lining to it, for El Paso's benefit," said El Paso Mayor John Cook.
But while many are happy to hear about the plant closing permanently, others are concerned about the jobs it could have brought to El Paso.
"For the people who wanted to get hired there after graduation it's not going to be such a good thing for them," said Liz Garcia, who lives in central El Paso.
Others believe having the plant hurts jobs in the Borderland.
"You read different issues on it, you know that there's jobs there, but there's also the other perception that it keeps us from getting the higher quality jobs because we're a refinery type of town," said Scott Winton, of West El Paso.
ASARCO is working with the state of Texas to demolish the plant and clean up the pollution that is left behind.
Cook said he wants a voice in those negotiations. Cook said he would even consider requesting that the site go into “super fund” status, which would free up federal money to clean it up. However he notes there are downsides to that because it would be an eyesore to have a “super fund” site.
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