County Attorney’s Office Will Submit Comment On Proposed EP Pipeline

By ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Stephanie Valle

EL PASO, Texas – Once again, County Commissioners addressed concerns over plans to install a fuel and oil pipeline through more than 20 miles of the eastern part of the county.

Tuesday, they had good news for the handful of Clint and Agua Dulce residents scattered around the meeting room.

Commissioners Court unanimously authorized the County Attorney’s Office to submit its comment on the impact of the proposed pipeline on county land and residents to the Department of State, which is in the process of analyzing other statements and studies regarding the pipeline.

The County Attorney’s Office is also authorized to ask State Department officials to ask PMI North America, which is a part of the Mexican oil company PEMEX, to submit a thorough Environmental Impact Study.

“This is much more significant than a resolution,” Commissioner Veronica Escobar told the Clint and Agua Dulce residents, who approached the court and thanked them for pursuing the remaining options to keep the pipeline out of their neighborhoods.

County Attorney Jose Rodriguez told ABC-7, PMI submitted a lengthy Environmental Assessment to the State Department, which touches on the impact a pipeline could have on the surrounding areas.

“It’s deficient in stating the impact on the colonias and other areas,” Rodriguez said.

The county has until Friday, June 13, to submit the comment and EIS request to the State Department. Rodriguez said he can’t speak with full authority, but believes if the federal government calls for an Environmental Impact Study, it might delay the decision to issue a Presidential Permit to PMI.

The oil company needs a Presidential Permit to install the pipeline across the international border to send the fuel to Mexico. PMI representatives told ABC-7 during a public hearing in May that decision could be sent down by July. PMI attorneys were at Monday’s meeting, but left before ABC-7 could seekcomment.