ASARCO And City At Odds Over Re-Opening

ASARCO is currently in the process of trying to get its El Paso air permit renewed. But now the city has thrown a monkey wrench into the smelter’s long term plans to re-open. He city has decided to file a lawsuit and try and collect on a $750,000 debt from ASARCO.

Mayor Wardy says he wants ASARCO to pay their debt and to take responsibility in clean-up efforts. He says area neighborhoods including, Sunset Heights, Kern and Mission Hills must be cleaned up and that could cost millions. But ASARCO Environmental Manager, Lairy Johnson says a mound of reports from various different agencies show the contamination doesn’t necessarily lead back to ASARCO.

Johnson says a few months ago an agreement had been reached with the city where ASARCO would begin paying its debt of 750,000 in 2005, with interest. But, now he says he’s skeptical about the city’s position to turn their back on 450 potential jobs and a multi-million dollar economic impact. Johnson says, “We sat down we met with them, there was an understanding among the City Representatives which included the mayor, ourselves…so, i don’t know.”

Mayor Wardy says “I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the community to continue to propagate this kind of industry…so, i don’t think it would be a good thing for ASARCO to ever open up again in El Paso.”

The mayor says the 750,000 dollars owed to the city by ASARCO will be used for street resurfacing.