ASARCO Faces Strong Opposition to Renew Air-Quality Permit

By Marco Grajeda

Las Cruces, NM – El Paso's copper smelter ASARCO which was shut down eight years ago due to a slump in the mineral's market value want to renew its operations. It can't, however, until the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality renews its air-quality permit. The commission's executive director already recommended the permit be renewed for five years, but as KRWG's Marco Grajeda reports, ASARCO officials still have to face opposition from the surrounding community and some local governments.