Mayor Of El Paso Opposed To Reopening ASARCO Plant
EL PASO, TX – TheASARCO debate is red hot again. Earlier TuesdayABC-7reported New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has joined the opposition against the smelter.
The sameafternoon, borderland officials, including El Paso’s Mayor John Cook addressed the public in a news conference.
“I find it really strange that ASARCO, a company that’s in bankruptcy, can spend as much money as it does on a very slick advertising campaign to try and influence public opinion. And not only here at home, but in Austin,” Cook said.
Cook saidASARCO is airing ads in Austin to influence the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Theywill decide whether the copper smelter gets its permit to reopen. Cook said the city of El Paso doesn’t have theTV budgetASARCO does. So thecityput together a video of their own;a video Cook says he plans to show Governor Rick Perry.
Officialswill also post the the video oncitywebsite.
ASARCO released a statementTuesdayin response to the news conference held at City Hall.
“The ongoing involvement of elected officials across the borderland is a way to try andchange the focus from the City of El Paso’s keen interest in our land.The facts are thatthe rigorous scientific investigation including unprecedented and extensive air modeling in Mexico, New Mexico and Texas is complete and it is great news for our community.The great news is thatASARCO will not be a health hazard when we reopen and the air will stay clean. ASARCOwill bring 1,800 well-paying jobs back to the community and more than $1 billion in economic impact. For more information visit Asarco’s website at www.asarco.com/elpaso.”
— Doug McCallister, ASARCO LLC General Council.
