Asarco cleanup: Public hearing is necessary
April 28, 2009
Shapleigh said the amount is closer to $250 million because the $52 million figure "does not include 250 acres of contiguous property owned by Asarco but not located at the (main) 100-acre smelter site."
Written by Editorial, The El Paso Times
State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, says that $52 million isn't enough to clean up contamination caused by Asarco over the years.
Shapleigh said the amount is closer to $250 million because the $52 million figure "does not include 250 acres of contiguous property owned by Asarco but not located at the (main) 100-acre smelter site."
El Pasoans have suffered with the smelter's emissions for years, and they deserve a complete cleanup -- not at their expense. If it turns out that $52 million is indeed not enough, guess who could stand to get stuck with the balance? Grab your wallet.
Naturally, Asarco has kept up a string of vehement denials about being responsible for lead and arsenic contamination in South and West El Paso. More than 1,000 homes and business properties were affected. Company officials pointed to other sources, such as pesticides and leaded gasoline. Those arguments are hardly credible.
Shapleigh and others want the Environmental Protection Agency to convene a public hearing to help clear the air on this issue.
It certainly can't hurt. There's approximately a $200 million difference in the current remediation plan and what Shapleigh thinks the cleanup could cost. This $200 million difference of opinion is well worth getting a close look.
And it's important to have a public hearing as the venue. Over the years, Asarco has become a very public problem, and people who have lived or are living with the problem deserve to be heard.
If it turns out that the $52 million is enough for remediation, great. If not, that should be clarified and taxpayers shouldn't be stuck with the balance.
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