City: ASARCO Did Not Study Impact Of Emissions

EL PASO, TX. – The Contested Case hearing to determine ifASARCO will get an air permit renewal for its el paso smelter, continued Wednesday.

David Cabe, Air Modeling Expert for the smelter testified during most of day 3. As an Air Modeling Expert, Mr. Cabe’s job was to analyze and predict what chemicals and toxins, and how much of them, are emitted into the air.

The city argued that ASARCO never did a comprehensive analysis of how its emissions impact the environment. Its a point that ASARCO strongly disagrees with.

Late in the day, the two State Judges, one representative from each side, and former Plant Manager Larry Castor,were all granted a request to go on a site visit at the smelter Wednesday afteroon. The Judges will also revist the smelter site on Thursday.

The trial is scheduled to run for the next week and a half.