TCEQ Denies El Paso Request To Investigate Asarco
EL PASO — State officials have denied an El Paso County prosecutor’s request to investigate criminal allegations against Asarco.
El Paso County Attorney Jose Rodriguez asked for the criminal probe in October, arguing that that Asarco, a bankrupt Tucson, Ariz.-based copper company, broke federal and state environmental and health laws.
County officials said TCEQ notified them this month of the denial. Earlier this month, the commission granted Asarco a new 5-year air quality permit that would allow the company to restart its shuttered copper smelter in west El Paso.
Asarco officials have previously dismissed the allegations of wrongdoing.
In a written statement released Wednesday, Rodriguez said the commission’s decision prevents any local law enforcement agency from pursing a case against Asarco.
