TCEQ Director Blesses El Paso Smelter
May 2nd, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Yesterday the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) recommended that the commission grant a 5-year renewal to the ASARCO metal smelter located in the center of El Paso. TCEQ Director Glenn Shankle made his ruling despite the findings of an administrative law judge that the permit be denied.
Here is a response from El Paso Sen. Eliot Shapleigh who has tenaciously fought the air permit renewal. Shapleigh has also been instrumental in helping El Paso confront ASARCO’s toxic legacy. The company has been polluting the city since 1887. Many speculate that ASARCO wants the air permit less to restart operations at the antiquated plant than to forestall having to clean up its on-site environmental disaster.
El Paso residents now have until June 18 to comment on the executive director’s recommendation. The ED then has until July 17 to respond. After that it goes to the full commission for a vote.
