ASARCO's illegal actions.

Many El Pasoans know of how ASARCO poisoned our city with their toxins and almost everyone who worked there is sueing ASARCO for their ill health, mutations, and diseases caused by the plant for pain and suffering etc. The company has finally hit another road block in their plans to reopen. ^_^

What had happened was that Representative for ASARCO had met with members of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) before they received their permit to reopen. The evidence of these meetings is cited in invoices that surfaced during one of ASARCO's bankruptcy cases. The meetings were a violation of Texas law and is a perfect example of ASARCO's underhandedness. The city of El Paso has filed another petition to have ASARCO's permit revoked.

ASARCO's response was that all the major proceedings in their case had concluded in March of 2006 and the meeting was legal, proper, routine, and just part of the due process. Even so, they did not yet have a permit, as the commissioners still needed to vote on whether or not to grant them a one. Ex parte communication would still apply to ensure fairness. TCEQ is reopening the case but because it is considered pending, they are not discussing anything with the city.

Also noteworthy, the United States Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to TCEQ asking them to answer several serious questions regarding the permit they issued. Click here for more information.