" The ADEQ detected elevated levels of TENORM [technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material] in the smelter flue dust at the Magma Copper Company's smelter and concentrator operations in San Manual Arizona. The exact source of the radiation is unclear, and it may originate from the ore concentrates, or the natural gas used in the smelter, or it may come from some other source."
"When the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality shared data with EPA on TENORM emanating from copper mines in mid 1992, the Agency began a study of the occurrence and distribution of TENORM at mines in the southwestern copper belt of Arizona. The following report is the result of that study. TENORM in SW Copper Belt of Arizona (PDF) (124 pp, 2,470 Kb) [EPA 402-R-99-002]"
"Soils and rock in copper mining areas may contain naturally-occurring radioactive materials (NORM):uranium, thorium, radium"
see:
http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/tenorm/copper.html
[the Ionics Brine concentrator (distillation unit) at Asarco El Paso was rated to handle LLRW (low level radioactive waste) - we are not told if that feature was needed at Asarco El Paso or not... Ionics has since been purchased by G.E. and the description of that unit is not available online]
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Worldwide Press Freedom Index
"Most democracies improved their ranking, with the United States moving up to 48th place from last year's 53rd, Morillon said. Worldwide Press Freedom Index.....Outside Europe, no region has been spared censorship or violence toward journalists."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601843.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
"... you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it." - John Quincy Adams
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601843.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
"... you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it." - John Quincy Adams
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
"The Water Supply" from the GIRL SCOUT HANDBOOK 1920
"In the country every home has a private water supply and takes pains to guard it. In the city there is a common water supply and everyone is responsible for keeping it pure. Where does the water come from that supplies your city or town? How is it kept clean? Who takes care of it?.... Girl Scouts will interest themselves in municipal or neighborhood housekeeping, for that is a responsibility which all share together"....
50-60% of the drinking water for El Paso now comes from surface water (the river: the Rio Grande) from mid-March to mid-October. This water for the USA is diverted from the Rio Grande at the American Dam next to ASARCO. The water for the USA (and El Paso drinking) then travels through the 70+year-old cracked upper American canal right past the smelter and railroad. 2.9 miles below the ASARCO smelter, the U.R. WTP (canal street Water Treatment Plant) pulls water out of the canal, treats it, pumps it up the mountain and mixes/distributes it throughout the city.
50-60% of the drinking water for El Paso now comes from surface water (the river: the Rio Grande) from mid-March to mid-October. This water for the USA is diverted from the Rio Grande at the American Dam next to ASARCO. The water for the USA (and El Paso drinking) then travels through the 70+year-old cracked upper American canal right past the smelter and railroad. 2.9 miles below the ASARCO smelter, the U.R. WTP (canal street Water Treatment Plant) pulls water out of the canal, treats it, pumps it up the mountain and mixes/distributes it throughout the city.
It is not the anti-Asarco folks dividing the Paso Del Norte peoples....
The pro-Asarco backer, David K., is desperate for picking a fight and
trying to find divisions and differences in the effort to hold a illegal
polluter accountable
(http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/2007/10/this-is-has-bee.html).
There are no differences
when it comes to what spewed out from Asarco from the illegal hazardous
waste incineration. Everyone, including David K., have been exposed.
trying to find divisions and differences in the effort to hold a illegal
polluter accountable
(http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/2007/10/this-is-has-bee.html).
There are no differences
when it comes to what spewed out from Asarco from the illegal hazardous
waste incineration. Everyone, including David K., have been exposed.
I have not talked with a single person from El Paso including pro-Asarco
workers, who are not concerned for the children in this region. Or for
the elderly, the infirm or the unborn children. Not a single person.
And like an ex-Supervisor from Asarco told us, the workers in the past
prostituted themselves -- sold the future health of many for the gains
of the "now". That same retired Supervisor now is very sick, all his
fellow workers have died gruesome slow deaths from illnesses, and he
worries a lot about the children.
I hope that David K. will worry about the children, too - that is what
this is all about. I'm sure that he does worry for the health and
well-being of the children of this region: he wants their parents to
have the 300 jobs that Asarco promises. Before Asarco pays the 300 for
employment, I would like to see Asarco pay us, the taxpayers, for the 24
million of cleanup beneath the old upper American canal that IBWC
reported to the TCEQ and ASARCO years ago, though.
Right, David K.? Why should the taxpayers get hit with the costs for
cleaning up a company's mess? That comes out of every working person's
pocket.
We can just ignore the toxic waste and then no-one has to pay the
costs. Except for the children who live with illness, decreased IQ,
explosive tempers, self-medication, asthma, COPD as adults, diabetes,
M.S., cancers, etc.
Monday, October 15, 2007
City Refuses Asarco Demand to Take Down Video
"On Oct. 5, 2005, Asarco lawyers sent the city of El Paso a letter, addressed to City Attorney Charlie McNabb, demanding that the city take down an anti-Asarco video. [video]
On Oct. 15, the city's lawyers, Birch, Becker and Moorman, sent a reply. The city would not be taking the video down."
http://newspapertree.com/politics/1730-city-refuses-asarco-demand-to-take-down-video
Montoya has a contract worth up to $70,000 with the El Paso City Schools
"Teresa Montoya of Montoya PR is a consultant for Asarco. A sharp reader mentioned, and it's been heard on Paul Strelzin's radio show on 1650 AM, that she also is a consultant for the El Paso Independent School District, which has a claim in bankruptcy court against Asarco.
It's true. Montoya has a contract worth up to $70,000. [episd agenda item]
In response to a question regarding the contract, school district spokesman Luis Villalobos issued this statement:
"Montoya PR is a leading public relations firm representing a diverse client base on a local, regional, and national [San Diego,CA office] basis. Montoya PR has a vast amount of experience and expertise in the education field.
"The District is implementing tough, strategic changes and we sought a public relations firm that was an expert in the community to help gather input and communicate our message to the community. Montoya PR is uniquely qualified because they also specialize in image and reputation management and crisis management and damage control. They understand the importance of getting our message out and they are helping us with media opportunities and other mission-critical projects.
"Montoya PR was hired as part of the District’s request for qualifications. Montoya PR came highly recommended by community and business leaders and they have helped us tremendously with getting our message out both internally and externally. Montoya PR has not done any work or been involved in any way on behalf of The District related to their representation of Asarco. ""
http://www.newspapertree.com/politics/1729-the-inner-loop-10-15-07
Sunday, October 14, 2007
What I learned in Kindergarten : Clean up your own mess
As long as the environmental regulatory agencies do not look for the toxic waste left here by years of illegal hazardous waste burning by Asarco, any monies made by the companies and people involved are made by sacrificing the health of our elderly, our ill, our children and the unborn.
"Grupo Mexico’s board of directors now includes directors of Kimberly Clark Mexico (the family business of U.S. Congressman James Sensenbrenner, author of last year’s anti-immigrant bill HR 4437) and the Carlyle Group (whose board included former President George Bush Sr.) In the 1990s, Grupo Mexico’s mushrooming capital gave it the resources to buy one of the oldest and largest mining companies in the United States, American Smelting and Refining Co." (8/11/06) http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?archiveDate=08-11-06&storyID=24842
"The former president [George Bush, Senior] and ex-CIA director is not unemployed these days. He's been globetrotting as a member of Washington's Carlyle Group, a $12 billion private equity firm ....The Carlyle connection means that George Bush Senior is on the payroll from private interests that have defense business before the government, while his son is president....As Charles Lewis of the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity has put it, 'in a really peculiar way, George W. Bush could, some day, benefit financially from his own administration's decisions, through his father's investments. And that to me is a jaw-dropper.' " http://www.carlylegroup.net
"This what i learned in kindergarten. Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess...." http://www.amazon.com/Really-Need-Know-Learned-Kindergarten/dp/034546639X
"Grupo Mexico’s board of directors now includes directors of Kimberly Clark Mexico (the family business of U.S. Congressman James Sensenbrenner, author of last year’s anti-immigrant bill HR 4437) and the Carlyle Group (whose board included former President George Bush Sr.) In the 1990s, Grupo Mexico’s mushrooming capital gave it the resources to buy one of the oldest and largest mining companies in the United States, American Smelting and Refining Co." (8/11/06) http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?archiveDate=08-11-06&storyID=24842
"The former president [George Bush, Senior] and ex-CIA director is not unemployed these days. He's been globetrotting as a member of Washington's Carlyle Group, a $12 billion private equity firm ....The Carlyle connection means that George Bush Senior is on the payroll from private interests that have defense business before the government, while his son is president....As Charles Lewis of the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity has put it, 'in a really peculiar way, George W. Bush could, some day, benefit financially from his own administration's decisions, through his father's investments. And that to me is a jaw-dropper.' " http://www.carlylegroup.net
"This what i learned in kindergarten. Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess...." http://www.amazon.com/Really-Need-Know-Learned-Kindergarten/dp/034546639X
Grupo Mexico (asarco/Carlyle group/Bush) pays dead miners families $70,500 each
06 Oct 2007 01:54:44 GMT Source: Reuters - Mexico Congress blames mining company for disaster
MEXICO CITY, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Mining company Grupo Mexico <GMEXICOB.MX> is largely to blame for an explosion that killed 65 men in A northern Mexican coal pit last year, a Congressional commission said on Friday. Negligence on the part of Grupo Mexico, one of the world's top copper producers, allowed a build-up of methane gas and coal dust which exploded deep in the shaft and caused most of the mine to collapse, the commission said in a report on the accident. The lawmakers also said blame for the February 2006 explosion was shared by government labor officials and the mineworkers union, who allowed work to carry on despite evident danger. In April, a manslaughter trial of Grupo Mexico executives ended without prison sentences after one of the defendants paid damages of about $16,500 to each of the victims' families. In Friday's report, the congressional commission recommended officials and company executives linked to the explosion be removed form their posts and banned from working in the industry. Only two bodies have been recovered since the blast. Industrial Minera Mexico, the Grupo Mexico subsidiary that ran the mine, abandoned the search because of unstable conditions in the mine. Grupo Mexico says it paid each family a one-off sum of close to $70,000 after the accident, plus several monthly payments." http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N05252332.htm
"What are local democrats like Shapleigh doing to promote high paying jobs with benefits that include health insurance for the kiddies? Well, they are protesting ASARCO is what they are doing."-- a quote from David Karlsruher (David K. El Paso radio host) in his column/blog http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/ [maybe they are protesting a company who hired executives that Mexico congress now recommend be removed form their posts and banned from working in the [mining] industry... (see above)]
MEXICO CITY, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Mining company Grupo Mexico <GMEXICOB.MX> is largely to blame for an explosion that killed 65 men in A northern Mexican coal pit last year, a Congressional commission said on Friday. Negligence on the part of Grupo Mexico, one of the world's top copper producers, allowed a build-up of methane gas and coal dust which exploded deep in the shaft and caused most of the mine to collapse, the commission said in a report on the accident. The lawmakers also said blame for the February 2006 explosion was shared by government labor officials and the mineworkers union, who allowed work to carry on despite evident danger. In April, a manslaughter trial of Grupo Mexico executives ended without prison sentences after one of the defendants paid damages of about $16,500 to each of the victims' families. In Friday's report, the congressional commission recommended officials and company executives linked to the explosion be removed form their posts and banned from working in the industry. Only two bodies have been recovered since the blast. Industrial Minera Mexico, the Grupo Mexico subsidiary that ran the mine, abandoned the search because of unstable conditions in the mine. Grupo Mexico says it paid each family a one-off sum of close to $70,000 after the accident, plus several monthly payments." http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N05252332.htm
"What are local democrats like Shapleigh doing to promote high paying jobs with benefits that include health insurance for the kiddies? Well, they are protesting ASARCO is what they are doing."-- a quote from David Karlsruher (David K. El Paso radio host) in his column/blog http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/ [maybe they are protesting a company who hired executives that Mexico congress now recommend be removed form their posts and banned from working in the [mining] industry... (see above)]
The stuff is too toxic for the entire state of New York... Alabama objects... Sierra Blanca TX objects... New York needs to keep their wastes in New York State...
Alabama objects... Texas (and likely Synagro ... now owned by "CARLYLE GROUP", who has shares in Grupo Mexico/Asarco) wants to dump it on the poor in Sierra Blanca (next to El Paso) AGAIN (where is our TEXAS Agricultural Commissioner???):
"Last week I wrote that Alabama deserves better than to become the nation's cesspool after residents in Limestone and Lauderdale counties complained of a terrible odor emanating from free fertilizer used on local farms. The fertilizer was treated human waste from New York and apparently smelled much worse than a pig barn or chicken operation -- and those are pretty darned bad.
It looks like Mr. Clean paid a visit in the person of Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks who met with Synagro representatives and worked out some new guidelines for human waste fertilizer in Alabama. ...."I feel that we have to either clean up the process or stop the process altogether," he said. "It is my intention to work with the company to help them correct any mistakes that have been made. We will continue to monitor their efforts to ensure that this matter does not continue to grow as a public nuisance."
In addition, the company will stop distributing the product in Limestone County. The County Commission there was preparing to file an injunction to stop the use of the product. Since the 1901 Alabama Constitution doesn't give county commissions authority to do much of anything, including zoning and regulating manure spreading, going to court was the only option the Limestone Commissioners had. Manure regulation: yet another reason to let the people vote on a new state constitution.".....
from: Sludgewatch-l@list.web.net
http://list.web.net/lists/listinfo/sludgewatch-l
"Last week I wrote that Alabama deserves better than to become the nation's cesspool after residents in Limestone and Lauderdale counties complained of a terrible odor emanating from free fertilizer used on local farms. The fertilizer was treated human waste from New York and apparently smelled much worse than a pig barn or chicken operation -- and those are pretty darned bad.
It looks like Mr. Clean paid a visit in the person of Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks who met with Synagro representatives and worked out some new guidelines for human waste fertilizer in Alabama. ...."I feel that we have to either clean up the process or stop the process altogether," he said. "It is my intention to work with the company to help them correct any mistakes that have been made. We will continue to monitor their efforts to ensure that this matter does not continue to grow as a public nuisance."
In addition, the company will stop distributing the product in Limestone County. The County Commission there was preparing to file an injunction to stop the use of the product. Since the 1901 Alabama Constitution doesn't give county commissions authority to do much of anything, including zoning and regulating manure spreading, going to court was the only option the Limestone Commissioners had. Manure regulation: yet another reason to let the people vote on a new state constitution.".....
from: Sludgewatch-l@list.web.net
http://list.web.net/lists/listinfo/sludgewatch-l
Chase Bank and the Federal Treasury Dept. aren't going to want Asarco to be paying Billions in environmental clean-up costs... look at this:
"Posted Oct 14th 2007 10:25AM by Peter Cohan
Filed under: Citigroup Inc. (C), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Goldman Sachs Group (GS)
Hank Paulson's got an Enron-like crisis that could swamp Citigroup (C) and JPMorgan (JPM):
The New York Times [registration required] reports that Citigroup (NYSE: C) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) are working with the Treasury Department to create a $75 billion fund to bail out Structured Investment Vehicles (SIV) -- of which there are thought to be $400 billion worldwide. What are SIVs? Why do they need to be bailed out? Why is the Treasury Department getting involved? Will the bailout plan work? Why should you care?"
http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/14/hank-paulsons-got-an-enron-like-crisis-that-could-swamp-citigro/
"ASARCO Incorporated. Retained by ASARCO Incorporated in connection with an $80 million tax exempt bond offering placed by Bankers Trust Company to finance pollution control facilities at the Company’s Hayden, Arizona smelter. Counseled ASARCO on certain matters involving the Company’s $450 million Revolving Credit Agreement with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and several other leading banks."....."
http://www.jsslaw.com/attorney.aspx?id=ba82f042-ea5e-4e9b-a912-113bbb8519f4
"The deep impulse of our life in America, the ideal which is becoming a national idol enshrined in the hearts of the majority, is money," said the Rev. Samuel Schulman of Temple Bethel, New York City, in an address this evening on "Money as a Measure of Manhood" before the Knife and Fork Club of this city.[from the year 1908: 21 years before the great currency crash of 1929, and 24 years before the gold and silver confiscation act of 1933]
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F04EEDD113EE033A25757C2A9679C946997D6CF
Filed under: Citigroup Inc. (C), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Goldman Sachs Group (GS)
Hank Paulson's got an Enron-like crisis that could swamp Citigroup (C) and JPMorgan (JPM):
The New York Times [registration required] reports that Citigroup (NYSE: C) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) are working with the Treasury Department to create a $75 billion fund to bail out Structured Investment Vehicles (SIV) -- of which there are thought to be $400 billion worldwide. What are SIVs? Why do they need to be bailed out? Why is the Treasury Department getting involved? Will the bailout plan work? Why should you care?"
http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/14/hank-paulsons-got-an-enron-like-crisis-that-could-swamp-citigro/
"ASARCO Incorporated. Retained by ASARCO Incorporated in connection with an $80 million tax exempt bond offering placed by Bankers Trust Company to finance pollution control facilities at the Company’s Hayden, Arizona smelter. Counseled ASARCO on certain matters involving the Company’s $450 million Revolving Credit Agreement with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and several other leading banks."....."
http://www.jsslaw.com/attorney.aspx?id=ba82f042-ea5e-4e9b-a912-113bbb8519f4
"The deep impulse of our life in America, the ideal which is becoming a national idol enshrined in the hearts of the majority, is money," said the Rev. Samuel Schulman of Temple Bethel, New York City, in an address this evening on "Money as a Measure of Manhood" before the Knife and Fork Club of this city.[from the year 1908: 21 years before the great currency crash of 1929, and 24 years before the gold and silver confiscation act of 1933]
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F04EEDD113EE033A25757C2A9679C946997D6CF
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
EPA SAID (quote!): "THIS ACTIVITY PLAIN AND SIMPLE WAS ILLEGAL TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE"
[bolded text are quotes from secret EPA document to Federal Dept. of Justice]
"Group alleges Asarco took in hazardous waste
"Group alleges Asarco took in hazardous waste
Article Launched: 10/12/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT
"Encycle routinely accepted wastes with little or no metals value and blended these wastes into its metals concentrates."
" 'GTLO and Sierra Club are essentially requesting that the public and news media ignore the official, well-documented record, and the rule of law in the state of Texas and in the United States with their meritless allegations,' Asarco lawyer Doug McCallister said in an e-mailed statement.
"As previously articulated, and outlined below, the Encycle submittal upon 'which the 1989 TWC letter was based, completely omitted a description of the SUBSTANTIAL direct mixing of unprocessed hazardous waste into its alleged "product". Nothing in the settlement statement effectively disputes these facts. As such, the TWC letter was inappropriately relied on by Encycle and ASARCO, because the application of the exemption to Encycle alleged ''products" was legally erroneous"
He continued that the groups and the city of El Paso are 'expressing extremist views' in an effort to damage the company's reputation, follow a political agenda and take over the company's land.'
[the EPA wrote to the Federal Dept. of Justice : "EPA has made clear that sham recycling, as opposed to legitimate recycling, occurs when the hazardous waste purportedly recycled contributes in no significant way to the production of the product allegedly resulting from the recycling."]
McCallister said that the allegations that Asarco has engaged in illegal activities are untrue and that the company will "take appropriate steps to protect its reputation and the reputation of its employees."
The EPA continued its settlement document, writing (these are THEIR WORDS) "This activity, plain and simple, was illegal treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, since the wastes could not have contributed in any significant way to the production of the metals concentrates"
Newspaper Tree Opinion Page - Reader says to Sacrifice El Paso...
"Screw El Paso. The country needs the smelter.[Why not site the smelter in Austin TX? ] Otherwise China will smelt all of our copper without acid plants, and the SO2 will blow right on over here. We'll pay to ship the concentrate over there and pay to ship the copper back. -- Brian"
http://newspapertree.com/opinion/1724-readers-respond-10-12-07
http://newspapertree.com/opinion/1724-readers-respond-10-12-07
Notice of Lodging of Proposed Settlement Agreement DOES NOT INCLUDE THE TOXIC WASTE!!!!!!!
"Notice of Lodging of Proposed Settlement Agreement Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Friday, October 12, 2007; Posted: 10:16 AM
Oct 12, 2007 (FIND, Inc. via COMTEX) -- AR | charts | news | PowerRating -- Notice is hereby given that on September 28, 2007, a proposed Settlement Agreement Regarding the El Paso County Metals Survey Site was filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in In re Asarco LLC, No. 05-21207 (Bankr. S.D. Tex.). The proposed Agreement entered into among the Untied States on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, State of Texas, and Asarco LLC ("Asarco") provides, inter alia, that the United States shall have an allowed general unsecured claim of $13,280,780 and the State of Texas shall have an allowed general unsecured claim of $419,220 for past response costs for the El Paso County Metals Surveys Site incurred prior to May 1, 2007. Friday, October 12, 2007; Posted: 10:16 AM
The Department of Justice will receive comments relating to the proposed Agreement for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this publication. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and either e-mailed to pubcomment- ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to In re Asarco LLC, DJ Ref. No. 90-11-3-08633.
The proposed Agreement may be examined at the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, 800 North Shoreline Blvd, #500, Corpus Christi, TX 78476-2001, and at the Region 6 Office of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202. During the public comment period, the proposed Agreement may also be examined on the following Department of Justice Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html . A copy of the proposed Agreement may also be obtained by mail from the Consent
[Page Number 58124]
Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611 or by faxing or e-mailing a request to Tonia Fleetwood (tonia.fleetwood@usdoj.gov), fax no. (202) 514-0097, phone confirmation number (202) 514-1547. In requesting a copy from the Consent Decree Library, please enclose a check in the amount of $3.00 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury.
Bruce S. Gelber,
Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 07-5028 Filed 10-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M
Vol. 72, No. 197"
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/696285/
Thursday, October 11, 2007
History: Synagro and MERCO Sierra Blanca Sludge dump
Synagro (pronounced "SIN-a-grow") was one of the biosolids (sludge) dumpers that MERCO contracted with to dump sludge at Sierra Blanca during the prior sludge-dumping years.
The State of Texas General Land Office bought the Merco sludge site last year for five million dollars and some of the same people connected with the old dumping are preparing to dump sludge there, again.
The State of Texas General Land Office bought the Merco sludge site last year for five million dollars and some of the same people connected with the old dumping are preparing to dump sludge there, again.
Harbinger settles disagreement with Asarco over documents
"Associated Press - October 11, 2007 5:55 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) - Harbinger Capital Partners has settled a fight with Asarco over access to the mining company's financial records.
The agreement could open the way for the hedge fund to finance Asarco's exit from bankruptcy protection.
Details are in papers filed this week in bankruptcy court in Corpus Christi.
Asarco says it has changed the terms of a confidentiality agreement that potential investors are required to sign."
http://www.kxan.com/global/story.asp?s=7201920&ClientType=Printable
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
New York City sludge HOUSTON company Synagro is owned by "Carlyle Owners", part of the Carlyle Group
SYNAGRO (NY City Sludge treatment Company, located in HOUSTON TEXAS) is owned by company that is part-owner of GRUPO MEXICO (ASARCO):
"Parent is the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, and Parent is currently wholly-owned by CIP Grey Partnership, L.P. At the effective time of the merger, Parent will be owned by Carlyle Grey Partners, L.P., CIP Direct Partnership, L.P., CIP Grey Partnership, L.P. and CIP Coinvestment, L.P., which we collectively refer to as the “Carlyle Owners.” The Carlyle Owners are managed by and act through their general partner, Carlyle Infrastructure General Partner, L.P., which we refer to as the “General Partner.” The General Partner’s sole general partner is TC Group Infrastructure, L.L.C., the sole member of which is TC Group, L.L.C. The managing member of TC Group, L.L.C. is TCG Holdings, L.L.C. Each of the Carlyle Owners and the General Partner is a Delaware limited partnership, and each of TC Group Infrastructure, L.L.C., TC Group, L.L.C. and TCG Holdings, L.L.C. is a Delaware limited liability company. The Carlyle Owners are a part of The Carlyle Group, which we refer to as “Carlyle,” one of the world’s largest private equity firms.
The business address for each of the Carlyle Owners, the General Partner, TC Group Infrastructure, L.L.C., TC Group, L.L.C. and TCG Holdings, L.L.C. is c/o The Carlyle Group, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004-2505."
[Remember, Texas G.L.O. is planning on resuming sludge dumping at Sierra Blanca on the old mob-connected NYC MERCO sludge dump/ranch -- at about the same time that Asarco is planning to re-open -- would that sludge dumper be Synagro sludge, also?]
http://google.brand.edgar-online.com/EFX_dll/EDGARpro.dll?FetchFilingHTML1?SessionID=HI_MjTdF57jtWrB&ID=4951885
"Parent is the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, and Parent is currently wholly-owned by CIP Grey Partnership, L.P. At the effective time of the merger, Parent will be owned by Carlyle Grey Partners, L.P., CIP Direct Partnership, L.P., CIP Grey Partnership, L.P. and CIP Coinvestment, L.P., which we collectively refer to as the “Carlyle Owners.” The Carlyle Owners are managed by and act through their general partner, Carlyle Infrastructure General Partner, L.P., which we refer to as the “General Partner.” The General Partner’s sole general partner is TC Group Infrastructure, L.L.C., the sole member of which is TC Group, L.L.C. The managing member of TC Group, L.L.C. is TCG Holdings, L.L.C. Each of the Carlyle Owners and the General Partner is a Delaware limited partnership, and each of TC Group Infrastructure, L.L.C., TC Group, L.L.C. and TCG Holdings, L.L.C. is a Delaware limited liability company. The Carlyle Owners are a part of The Carlyle Group, which we refer to as “Carlyle,” one of the world’s largest private equity firms.
The business address for each of the Carlyle Owners, the General Partner, TC Group Infrastructure, L.L.C., TC Group, L.L.C. and TCG Holdings, L.L.C. is c/o The Carlyle Group, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004-2505."
[Remember, Texas G.L.O. is planning on resuming sludge dumping at Sierra Blanca on the old mob-connected NYC MERCO sludge dump/ranch -- at about the same time that Asarco is planning to re-open -- would that sludge dumper be Synagro sludge, also?]
http://google.brand.edgar-online.com/EFX_dll/EDGARpro.dll?FetchFilingHTML1?SessionID=HI_MjTdF57jtWrB&ID=4951885
Folic Acid Lowers Blood Arsenic Levels, Study Shows
Web address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071008080137.htm
"Folic Acid Lowers Blood Arsenic Levels, Study Shows
Science Daily - A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman
School of Public Health finds that folic acid supplements can dramatically
lower blood arsenic levels in individuals exposed to arsenic through
contaminated drinking water. This toxic element, naturally present in some
aquifers used for drinking, is currently a significant public health problem
in at least 70 countries, including several developing countries and also
parts of the U.S. Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased risk
for skin, liver and bladder cancers, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease,
and other adverse health outcomes.
The researchers found that treatment with 400 micrograms a day of folic
acid, the U.S. recommended dietary allowance, reduced total blood arsenic
levels in the study population by 14 percent. Folate, a B vitamin found in
leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains, can also be taken
as a vitamin supplement, and in the U.S., is added to flour and other
fortified foods. ...."
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Article: "Folic Acid Supplementation Lowers Blood Arsenic," in Am J Clin
Nutr 86:1202-1209 (2007)
Science Daily - A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman
School of Public Health finds that folic acid supplements can dramatically
lower blood arsenic levels in individuals exposed to arsenic through
contaminated drinking water. This toxic element, naturally present in some
aquifers used for drinking, is currently a significant public health problem
in at least 70 countries, including several developing countries and also
parts of the U.S. Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased risk
for skin, liver and bladder cancers, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease,
and other adverse health outcomes.
The researchers found that treatment with 400 micrograms a day of folic
acid, the U.S. recommended dietary allowance, reduced total blood arsenic
levels in the study population by 14 percent. Folate, a B vitamin found in
leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains, can also be taken
as a vitamin supplement, and in the U.S., is added to flour and other
fortified foods. ...."
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Article: "Folic Acid Supplementation Lowers Blood Arsenic," in Am J Clin
Nutr 86:1202-1209 (2007)
What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.
Albert Pine
Albert Pine
Monday, October 8, 2007
TCEQ renews Asarco El Paso Water Permit despite protests and evidence
(click on image of TCEQ letter to see it full-size)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
San Antonio Express Gary Scharrer Austin Bureau
San Antonio Express - San Antonio,TX,USA
City councils in three states and two countries oppose reopening the ASARCO smelter, whose towering 828-foot stack competes with the neighboring Franklin ...
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
Book: The Secret History of the War on Cancer
"Grim but fascinating reading....Davis proposes a kind of truth-and-reconciliation approach to get industry and public-health experts mutually involved. But she notes that, unfortunately, it's simply not happening fast enough....One can hope, however, that Davis's book will assure that proper attention is paid." Kirkus Reviews
"Davis writes with passion, driven by the conviction that premature deaths among her family members resulted from exposure to industrial toxins....Davis presents a powerful call to action; recommended." Library Journal
An excerpt:
"Another region of the southern United States haunted by poisonous secrets is that of El Paso, Texas, home of the ASARCO lead smelter. In his 1975 article in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Philip Landrigan detailed the toxic impact of lead residues on local children that forced the examination of every other smelter in the country. His work for the Centers for Disease Control showed that levels of lead that were insufficient to immediately sicken children permanently dulled their brains and nervous systems.
ASARCO's answer to this crisis was straightforward. Smeltertown families were booted out of their homes. When I visited the area in 2004, only the dead remained. The small local cemetery of marked and nameless graves was covered with blackened, windswept sand. Longer stones or slabs of poured concrete presumably indicate adults, and smaller ones outline those who died as children. The name and short life of Guadaloupe Carmona, 1925–1927, are handwritten on a poured slab1.
In the Environmental Law Institute's report for the Library of Congress in 1980, we described El Paso, along with Times Beach, as well-established cases of mostly historic interest, about which there was little left to learn. We knew that the lawsuit against the company had been settled and that the land surrounding the smelter had been bought by ASARCO for less than half a million dollars. The purchase was made on the condition that all the residents were to be removed so that their former home sites could be used to store acid tanks and railroad cars2.
But when I visited the region three years ago, I learned that some environmental solutions, unlike love, are not forever. El Paso's problems are not nearly as well resolved as I had believed. In fact the story has taken a strange turn. In May 1992, ASARCO set up two3 CONTOP (continuous top-feed oxygen process) furnaces. These hot-burning ovens never slept. All day every day, they burned tons of toxic wastes at 90 percent efficiency. This meant that just 10 percent of what they tried to burn ended up intact. Still, 10 percent of hundreds of thousands of tons of wastes fired over several years left enough metal poisons in the region that the furnaces were put out of business by the U.S. Department of Justice after operating just seven years4. Although many nearby businesses were long shut down, the smelter next to Smeltertown remained, along with the buildings supporting the U.S. Mexico dam and canal system.
A secret government memo released in 2006 from the EPA, written during the Clinton years, showed that so long as the furnaces were running, the company told the world it was recycling materials. Think back to the waste oil that Russell Bliss distributed or took to be burned in mills in Missouri. If this waste is laced with dioxin or heavy metals, then when it gets burned, thousands of tons of toxic agents get finely spewed back into the air over large regions. Recycling thus becomes a neat redistribution system, taking measurable solid wastes and turning them into immeasurable, ultrafine air pollutants.
Pollutants do not need passports. The residents of El Paso and Juarez know this, because they are joined by more than a century's worth of leaden soils and plumes that have crossed back and forth over the U.S.-Mexican border and left many zones uninhabitable. Commerce, of course, crosses borders as well. In 1999 ASARCO was bought for more than $1 billion and today is a completely owned subsidiary of Grupo Mexico5. They have declared their intention to reopen this century-old facility6. What happened to the hundreds of millions of dollars that ASARCO had set aside to pay for cleaning up El Paso? In a stunningly cynical move, Grupo Mexico was granted permission by the U.S. government to use that money to pay down corporate debt. Not a penny has been spent to remedy the damage from this longstanding pollution7.
At this time, ASARCO faces bankruptcy because of its responsibilities to clean up dozens of Superfund sites. Of an estimated $2 billion in cleanup costs for old ASARCO areas throughout the United States alone, the firm has set aside less than $100 million. The Steelworkers Union in Dallas used the Freedom of Information Act to unearth an EPA memo warning that any sampling of metals in El Paso could show that the smelter had burned illegal wastes for years. Many locals suspect the plans to reopen the rusted old smelter are just a ploy to keep the plant from being declared a Superfund site. If the company declares its intent to operate, it can't be prosecuted for having abandoned the area.
The signing and sealing of secrecy agreements about contaminated environments — just like those about defective cars or planes — is not a matter of child's play. It's perfectly legal and perfectly bad to allow health and safety information to be kept secret. Such secrets also handicap the ability of science to evaluate hazards. We are left with a policy that perversely allows that you can't ask about what someone doesn't want you to know.
As you open the pages of this book and join me at our web site, you will find long forgotten secrets exposed. You will also find a map that ensures that those of us who want the future of cancer to be different from the past, understand that keeping secrets about the things that cause the disease endangers all of us.
1 Residents of Smeltertown moved upstream two miles to Bueno Vista across from Anapra, New Mexico, and old Anapra, Mexico. In the 1980s New Mexico labeled Anapra, New Mexico, the most lead-contaminated spot in New Mexico and blamed it on the smelter. Since then three generations have grown up in Anapra, and the generations are suffering increasing horrific health problems. Word of mouth accounts are common about babies born without organs, born without a brain, fused-skulls at birth are common and doctors have privately told women it comes from drinking the city water when pregnant. The residents of Anapra have formed a community group and are fighting to get honest assessment of the extent of contamination from the smelter. Meanwhile, New Mexico, Mexico, and Texas continue to turn Anapra into the regional dumping ground — siting three sewage treatment plants, a regional dump, the electric generating plant, a quarry and other toxic developments at this residentially-zoned neighborhood (platted in the early 1900s).
2 Wal-Mart bought several hundred acreas of ASARCO-contaminated land just north of the old smelter cemetery for a whopping five million dollars, just after Wal-Mart was cited millions nationwide by the EPA for failing to observe storm water rules in construction of its properties.
3 The two largest CON0TOPs in the world, designed to smelt toxic waste (shredded automobiles, sludges) for "energy recovery" to provide additional heat for the concurrent melting of the ore concentrates. But ASARCO never got permission to smelt toxic waste — they were supposed to recover metals from all materials that they received.
4 The EPA began testing and residential cleanups in the early 2000s. ASARCO had shut down in 1999, claiming a historic low in copper prices. It wasn't until 2006 that the Federal Department. of Justice released an EPA secret memo from 1998, showing the fake recycling, the secret incineration of toxic waste for profit that ASARCO's ConTop furnaces had conducted for nearly a decade. The government had used ASARCO to dispose of Rocky Mt. Arsenal material (oil bearing materials, chemical weapon quench waters).
5 Carlyle Group is an owner of Grupo Mexico.
6 We believe that this may actually be a sham-intent, and that the fight is over ownership of the carbon credits from the Air permit 20345.
7 We also believe that the Asarco bankruptcy is a test-case for world-wide industrial interests to show how environmental liabilities can be shed — passed onto the people who actually suffered the damages in the first place.
÷ ÷ ÷
Devra Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H., is the Director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. She was appointed by President Clinton to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in 1994 and also served as Scholar in Residence at the National Academy of Science. She lives in Pittsburgh. Visit her website at www.devradavis.org."
TCEQ refuses to answer simple question
"I asked Terry McMillan (El Paso TCEQ regional office: water) and then the TCEQ Open-Records-Manager if anyone had sampled the new water at the Asarco Lake (a place between the historic smelter cemetery and the overpass, that gets flooded as a historic "lake" when there is a lot of rain.
They will not answer the question and tell me that my request is closed.
This "non-answer" is backed by Charles Stokes, staff attorney for TCEQ.
It was a simple question. Did they test the lake -- why/why-not? The Toxic Wastes from ENCYCLE would be in that water, from the runoff.
WHY AREN'T THEY LOOKING FOR THESE?
It is getting more appallingly clear that they won't tell us what poison is in our environment from Asarco's illegal toxic waste burning. WHY? Why is it so difficult for a state agency or the federal EPA or anyone with a Chemistry set at a university to tell us what is really in our dirt, air and water from Asarco's illegal activity?
What is so bad that they can't tell us?"
They will not answer the question and tell me that my request is closed.
This "non-answer" is backed by Charles Stokes, staff attorney for TCEQ.
It was a simple question. Did they test the lake -- why/why-not? The Toxic Wastes from ENCYCLE would be in that water, from the runoff.
WHY AREN'T THEY LOOKING FOR THESE?
It is getting more appallingly clear that they won't tell us what poison is in our environment from Asarco's illegal toxic waste burning. WHY? Why is it so difficult for a state agency or the federal EPA or anyone with a Chemistry set at a university to tell us what is really in our dirt, air and water from Asarco's illegal activity?
What is so bad that they can't tell us?"
Monday, October 1, 2007
Asarco to miss 2007 450,000 lb moly production target
"Henderson, Kentucky (Platts)--24Sep2007
US copper producer Asarco will not meet its goal of producing approximately 450,000 lb of molybdenum in 2007, a company official told Platts on Monday.
"We're at about half of our projected levels," said John Low, Asarco vice president of mining operations. "It just wasn't in the ore.. It didn't turn out as we projected," he added.
Asarco resumed moly production last December at its Mission complex in Sahurita, Arizona. Molybdenum, which occurs naturally in the Mission ore body, is produced as a byproduct of Asarco's copper operation.
Prior to the moly restart, Joseph Lapinsky, Asarco president and CEO, said restarting the molybdenum circuit would allow the company to better utilize its mineral resources and benefit from favorable market conditions. The company last produced molybdenum in 1996 but stopped because of low market prices and the absence of the mineral in the ore then being mined.
According to Low, Asarco is working on its 2008 moly projects. The company expects to complete its evaluation in about a month, he added.
--Bob Matyi, newsdesk@platts.com"
http://www.platts.com/Metals/News/6487669.xml?src=Metalsrssheadlines1
US copper producer Asarco will not meet its goal of producing approximately 450,000 lb of molybdenum in 2007, a company official told Platts on Monday.
"We're at about half of our projected levels," said John Low, Asarco vice president of mining operations. "It just wasn't in the ore.. It didn't turn out as we projected," he added.
Asarco resumed moly production last December at its Mission complex in Sahurita, Arizona. Molybdenum, which occurs naturally in the Mission ore body, is produced as a byproduct of Asarco's copper operation.
Prior to the moly restart, Joseph Lapinsky, Asarco president and CEO, said restarting the molybdenum circuit would allow the company to better utilize its mineral resources and benefit from favorable market conditions. The company last produced molybdenum in 1996 but stopped because of low market prices and the absence of the mineral in the ore then being mined.
According to Low, Asarco is working on its 2008 moly projects. The company expects to complete its evaluation in about a month, he added.
--Bob Matyi, newsdesk@platts.com"
http://www.platts.com/Metals/News/6487669.xml?src=Metalsrssheadlines1
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Research Article suggests link between leukemias (including CCL and AML) and ionizing radiation over decades of exposure
"Ionizing radiation and chronic lymphocytic leukemia" - despite Government Insurance claims/standards, there may be a link between CCL and exposure to radiation. There is with Acute Myeloid leukemia and other acute forms in the Nuclear defense industry.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/printable.aspx?id=1G1:136511527
" It is well established that ionizing radiation has the ability to produce double-strand breaks in chromosomal DNA (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation 2000). The primary mechanism by which biologic damage occurs is believed to be via the creation of ionized atoms and molecules that become chemically reactive. This can occur directly via ionization of a critical molecule, such as DNA, or indirectly via ionization of nearby molecules, such as water."...
From: Environmental Health Perspectives | Date: 1/1/2005 | Author: Hoffmann, Wolfgang; Richardson, David B.; Schmitz-Feuerhake, Inge; Schroeder, Jane; Wing, Steve
http://www.encyclopedia.com/printable.aspx?id=1G1:136511527
" It is well established that ionizing radiation has the ability to produce double-strand breaks in chromosomal DNA (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation 2000). The primary mechanism by which biologic damage occurs is believed to be via the creation of ionized atoms and molecules that become chemically reactive. This can occur directly via ionization of a critical molecule, such as DNA, or indirectly via ionization of nearby molecules, such as water."...
Please contact me if you know anyone with either CCL or AML
The google "Asarco" alert just pulled up an El Paso person's blog ( H Paul Garland - http://hpgarland.blogspot.com/ ) and they profile the CCL page (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia). That leads me to think that someone they know, maybe locally, has CCL. And THAT is interesting to me because we already have two cases in young El Pasoans of AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) who either worked at Asarco or grew up in the lower-valley plume. Another search in google came up with an interesting article showing that CCL and AML might be associated together as leukemias -- people might get one if they get the other.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Utah man poisoned from eating local fish says, "What do we do about it?"
Grim fish tale: Was mercury to blame for man's illness? By Judy Fahys The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated:09/29/2007 12:16:43 PM MDT Posted: 12:19 PM- Few things in life pleased Kayo Robertson more than sitting down to a meal of crappie he had plucked from a reservoir near his home in Cache County.[Utah].... Then the Smithfield man found out those scrumptious dinners might very well be making him sick, polluting his body with toxic mercury. For about five years, Robertson had suffered from what he thought might be gout or old age. His feet hurt. His arms would get numb at night. His joints ached. His hands cramped. He felt tired all the time. "I've never gotten old before," said the semi-retired educator, an active 59-year-old, "so I presumed this was what it was like." But, while researching his symptoms, he formed a hunch. He caught five fish and sent them to a nationally recognized mercury-testing laboratory. He sent in a hair sample, too. The tests showed that not only were methylmercury levels high in the fish, but there was way more mercury in him than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers safe.".... But Robertson says he refuses to despair and feels more determined now..... "We don't have this information out there," he said. "Why don't we have it out? ..... that's not right." He's not the only one who "can't drink the water, can't breathe the air and can't eat the fish" because of pollution, he said. And he hopes that he can inspire others disgusted with the status quo to transform their concern into action. "The next question," he said, "is, now, what do we do about it?"
[that is a good question for people along the Frontera facing the legacy of Asarco poison]
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7038749
[that is a good question for people along the Frontera facing the legacy of Asarco poison]
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7038749
CSWAB UPDATE: Pentagon Will Fight Wisconsin Water Standards
"September 26, 2007 CSWAB UPDATE: Pentagon Will Fight Wisconsin Water Standards
The Pentagon intends to challenge Wisconsin in regulating all forms of the explosive dinitrotoluene (DNT), Army officials announced on Monday.
Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to establish health-based guidelines for the pervasive military toxin that has contaminated groundwater and dozens of private wells near the Badger Army Ammunition Plant......." Website: www.cswab.org
The Pentagon intends to challenge Wisconsin in regulating all forms of the explosive dinitrotoluene (DNT), Army officials announced on Monday.
Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to establish health-based guidelines for the pervasive military toxin that has contaminated groundwater and dozens of private wells near the Badger Army Ammunition Plant......." Website: www.cswab.org
Public Record request to TCEQ and questions to Terry McMillan about new water in Asarco Lake (between the Smelter cemetery and the overpass) IGNORED
(sent to TCEQ Open Records, the TCEQ Office Public Assistance, contact at the TX Office Attorney General, offices of Sen. Shapleigh, Offices of Rep. Reyes, and TCEQ Legal contacts)
To: Ms. Debbie Wahrmund
Please explain to me why my request for information (information newer than any of the records you have previously made available) is not a records request. I would like you to give me the legal reasons, please.
You sent me the letters I wrote to Mr. McMillan. In those letters I ask:
In both, I am asking for current information -- information that has NOT BEEN GIVEN to me. Again, please give me the legal reasons why these are not PIA's ---why these requests for information (information newer than any of the records you have previously made available) are not records requests.
I am copying this to the two congressmen offices which have pushed for investigation of the ENCYCLE wastes that were burned in El Paso, TX at the Asarco smelter; and copying my list of media.
Why is the TCEQ, the EPA and Asarco so unwilling to hand over a full-analysis of the "lake"? or tell me that it has/hasn't been done?
(We'd also like to know why the TCEQ commissioners have not added the motion to overturn the Asarco stormwater permit to their Agenda when peoples from both nations have provided enough evidence to show that the permit should not be renewed.)
To: Ms. Debbie Wahrmund
Please explain to me why my request for information (information newer than any of the records you have previously made available) is not a records request. I would like you to give me the legal reasons, please.
You sent me the letters I wrote to Mr. McMillan. In those letters I ask:
- "There is a lot of water at the site of the old natural ancient Asarco Lake, now. Has anyone taken water samples and analyzed the samples for ENCYCLE wastes? If not, why?"
- "I have not seen a single analysis from Asarco/TCEQ/EPA that shows that anything has been tested for the wide range of metals and chemicals that would have been incinerated/handled by Asarco from Encycle. We know that a report exists because Archie Clouse referred to it in an El Paso Times interview.I have been unable to get a copy - please explain why
In both, I am asking for current information -- information that has NOT BEEN GIVEN to me. Again, please give me the legal reasons why these are not PIA's ---why these requests for information (information newer than any of the records you have previously made available) are not records requests.
I am copying this to the two congressmen offices which have pushed for investigation of the ENCYCLE wastes that were burned in El Paso, TX at the Asarco smelter; and copying my list of media.
Why is the TCEQ, the EPA and Asarco so unwilling to hand over a full-analysis of the "lake"? or tell me that it has/hasn't been done?
(We'd also like to know why the TCEQ commissioners have not added the motion to overturn the Asarco stormwater permit to their Agenda when peoples from both nations have provided enough evidence to show that the permit should not be renewed.)
Letter: Story ignored on Asarco mass gathering
"Letter: Story ignored on Asarco mass gathering
Article Launched: 09/29/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT
An historic moment in our city's political life. This was a call to action that broke through the apathy and the cynicism and the unwillingness to speak up on issues that matter.
The El Paso Times editorial page often laments the lack of political participation in our community, so I was surprised, dismayed, angry to see that 1,500 people's participation in a democratic process only warranted one inch of newsprint and no photo in the El Paso Times.
I am including the photo as part of this letter to the editor. I ask that you run it on your editorial page to show El Pasoans what the newsroom thinks is worth only one inch of newsprint.
And I ask that you consider that your newsroom might be contributing to apathy in our community by ignoring the democratic impulses that bring our community together and galvanize us towards action.
Susie Byrd
City representative
District 2"
http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_7030329
ALL A SHAM: Asarco asks Bankruptcy court in Corpus Christi to accept El Paso Texas settlement
Asarco asks court to accept settlement" AP newswire "EL PASO, Texas — Asarco LLC said it filed a motion Friday in a Corpus Christi bankruptcy court asking a judge to accept a settlement of about $13.7 million with governmental environmental agencies for the cost of cleanups of lead and arsenic in the soil in some El Paso neighborhoods..."
[IBWC estimates it will cost 24 million ALONE to clean up contamination from Asarco beneath the old upper American Canal ... who will pay for the rest of the clean up? The Taxpayers - you and me. EPA, TCEQ and ASARCO will not disclose the Asarco POISONS that taxpayers will eventually have to pay to remove/dispose of from our Storm-water utility runoff/sludges. The innocent are left living in a pool of poisons while the previous Asarco Environmental Manager left the country for Peru (Asarco Southern Peru Copper company) cashing in Five Million dollars worth of stock options -- almost HALF OF WHAT ASARCO IS WILLING TO PAY YOU FOR CLEANUP HERE.]
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5174183.html
Friday, September 28, 2007
Faces against Asarco
There is a tiny group of people who are caught up in the size of the crowd and numbers: none of them went to the event. I am amazed at how hyper-focused they are on size and numbers.
It was a large crowd, we had a good day, and we waved goodbye to Asarco and stood as a group in the photo and no one paid any of us to be there.
Nuff said.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Hi, David, you found the blog
September 26, 2007 Still No Picture of Faces Against ASARCO I did find one picture on the Get Out the Lead blog (http://epgtlo.blogspot.com/2007/09/asarco-demonstration.html). (They are big fans of me!!!) [not! ].... It would be a shame to think they dragged all those people out next to a huge sewage treatment plant on Sunday afternoon for nothing. "
http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/2007/09/still-no-pictur.html
http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/2007/09/still-no-pictur.html
Ah, David, why would you have a problem standing beside the treatment plant? It is only just above the canal that delivers a lot of our drinking water. Do you know something I don't know about that plant?
The Epgtlo blog is not the GTLO blog - that is www.gettheleadout.net. You can see that on the same fliers you mentioned. Please get your facts straight.
"I also heard that there was some interesting visa swapping in order to get some Juarez folks over the border."
Haven't heard this, David. Perhaps you should ask the people directly. Or are you relying on hearsay again?
Sign up for a google alert whenever "Asarco" appears. I have seen many pictures of the event because of the alert. You can always contact one of those bloggers for a better copy of their photo.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
El Paso Times Letter to the Editor on 9-24-07
Facts hidden
We know that for nearly 10 years, Asarco illegally handled and burned toxic waste for big profits, and that they never told us. We know that our government hid that from us for eight years.
Some Asarco workers tell me that it never hurt them to work there; some tell me differently. But no Asarco workers have told me that they trusted Asarco to tell them what went through that plant -- even two people who tested the material for the metals that Asarco wanted to smelt.
We've been lied to by Asarco, the TCEQ and the EPA.
Now the toxins are hidden in the water pumped up the mountain and sent to the city. They are in the dust stirred up in our air, and the rain streaming off our properties. We'll carry the lie as a silent random poison in our lungs, our bones and our bodies and some of it may pass to unborn children from the mothers.
It is time to end the lie, close the smelter, demand honest services from our government and begin the long process of cleanup.
Heather McMurray
El Pasoans gather to protest ASARCO
By: Fernie Castillo (text and photo-credits)
Posted: 9/25/07
"Members of the community gathered in white T-shirts on Sept. 26 for a photo that will be sent to Governor Richard Perry to persuade officials not to grant ASARCO its air permit renewal."
http://www.utepprospector.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=a4017618-abb3-41d6-ac74-3ba96cb8ac21
David K. doesn't get out much...
This author needs to get out more. Yesterday he reported on the Sunday Faces against Asarco by quoting others, and today he reports on the event by reporting on what the NEWS said?
ETHNICITY AND CLASS ARE NOT THE ISSUES HERE however hard he tries to "re-frame" it that way -- the toxins that Asarco, the TCEQ and EPA are hiding do not discriminate between classes or races. The poisons affect us all.
Why is it so difficult to write about the secret EPA document that the DOJ released? It can be hard to face facts...
"September 24, 2007
Update on ASARCO story - Classes, ethiciities at war?
ETHNICITY AND CLASS ARE NOT THE ISSUES HERE however hard he tries to "re-frame" it that way -- the toxins that Asarco, the TCEQ and EPA are hiding do not discriminate between classes or races. The poisons affect us all.
Why is it so difficult to write about the secret EPA document that the DOJ released? It can be hard to face facts...
"September 24, 2007
Update on ASARCO story - Classes, ethiciities at war?
UPDATE: I watched the video of the event rom KFOX (http://www.kfoxtv.com/video/14186394/index.html)
Asarco asks to raise CEO's salary
"Asarco asks to raise CEO's salary
Bloomberg News
Tucson, Arizona Published: 09.25.2007
Tucson-based copper producer Asarco LLC is asking the bankruptcy court to raise the salary of its CEO, Joseph Lapinsky, from $425,000 to $500,000, pay him an $85,000 bonus, and make him eligible for another performance bonus payable at the discretion of the board up to 75 percent of his salary, Bloomberg News reported....."
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sour Grapes ...
ASARCO Turnout - Small, Very Small [from Refuse the Juice by David K. the conservative pro-Asarco guy who obviously didn't drive over to the FACES event and see for himself - reporting news from "here-say", Dave?]
The anti-ASARCO crowd is quietly claiming a successful "Faces Against ASARCO" outing this past Sunday. Paul Strelzin, who is a part of their media machine, made sure to focus on the turnout of the pro-ASARCO crowd and less on the anti-ASARCO. I guess the anti-ASARCO group's turnout wasn't worth talking about? [not when Asarco had to PAY their participants 50$ each to show up!] They said they'd have 25,000 people and I've heard numbers from 500 to 1000. Not quite a big turnout.
ASARCO's guest were invited specifically for the commercial they were doing. I saw no call to the public from them, so I didn't expect them to have a bunch of folks.
As for the anti-ASARCO folks, I think they need to rethink their message that all of El Paso wants ASARCO to remain closed. If you give them the higher of the two reported numbers (1000) and you divide that by our estimated population of around 600,000 you get .0016 percent. That means that less than 1% of the people of El Paso cared to gather against ASARCO. So much for "all of El Paso" caring enough about ASARCO to show up in opposition of it. [um, how about recalculating that percentage by the number of people living within the 3 mile EPA official contamination area??]
I think we've been led to believe that there are all kinds of regular El Pasoans up in arms over the opening of ASARCO, when it's obvious that it's only a core group of people who consider themselves "activists." [I would say that Refuse-the-juice classifies as an activist the same as anyone else ... so why imply that being active on community issues is a bad name?] It's the same group who says "no" to everything. They are trying to create a situation where a vocal minority controls the quiet majority. [does this mean that since only a few people in our community are "rich" that those will "create a situation like opening the smelter where a vocal minority (the rich) controls the quiet majority (the ill, the unborn, the babies and the aged)???] Let's hope they are not successful." [Amen, David, the rich shouldn't get off Scot-free from paying their environmental liabilities off or being responsible citizens]
[still no mention of the Toxic waste burning? Why not? Don't want El Pasoans to know?]
http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/thinkaboutit/2007/09/asarco-turnout-.html
Faces against Asarco Event
"Faces against of Asarco" photo event. Around 5:30, we assembled on land owned by CEMEX at the intersection of I-10 East and Executive Center. Photographs were shot from a crane until about 6:45. We got to see a lot of good friends: Lee, Bobby, and Johnny Byrd; representatives Beto O'Rourke (with new baby) and Suzie Byrd, her husband Eddie Holland, all the little Holland-Byrds; and Rosie Salazar (she's fine, working two jobs). Also, I got to speak to Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (we talked about giving the feds hell about the state of the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery), stood near Nancy from Bordersenses, and was happy to see Mayor John Cook there as well. In all, many, many old and new friends stood in solidarity against Asarco.
All in all it was a great day (impending storm and all) as I believe well over a couple of thousand people stood, raised their hands together to send a message to Austin and wave good bye to Asarco. Thanks to CEMEX for letting us assemble on their land, the EPPD, Ardovino's Desert Crossing (Charlie’s idea for the pix), and all who stood for a very important message: we do not need, nor do we want Asarco to reopen its smelting operations in El Paso, Texas."
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chacal/1431054805/
Asarco demonstration
"After hearing Guitar Slim I drove over to the west side of El Paso where there was what to me was the largest demonstration I have ever been involved in. Here in El Paso, Texas the large and heavily polluting ASARCO copper smelter wants to re-open. There were probably 5,000 participants there. Maybe more. It was an interesting group of people. Virtually everyone was either in their late teens to early twenties, or old farts with grey hair who remembered how terrible the air pollution was prior to the smelter closing down.
The mayors of El Paso and Anthony were there as anti-ASARCO demonstration participants. I met a guy who teaches linguistics at UT El Paso and had a nice chat. The artist Hal Marcus was also there.
The neatest guy I met was a fellow who had a long full grey beard much like my own. His name sounded like “Q” the evil fellow on Star Trek, but I finally got it right as Pew. Like myself he grew up in El Paso, and recently lived 20 years in Europe working. He lived in Germany about 50 miles east of my house in Cologne, Germany. He worked for the symphony there. He had also worked for the one in Frankfurt. I really can’t say I am a real symphony buff, but I have attended symphonies at the opera houses in Liege, Belgium, Cologne and Frankfurt. Another example of “Wow, what a small world.”
After the demonstration was finished and I was driving away I took this picture.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Stand against ASARCO
"Sunday, September 23, 2007
Stand against ASARCO
They say a picture's worth a thousand words. I sure hope so. There was a demonstration today to photograph protesters at the foot of the Asarco smelter to put in the hands of the governor. Many hope this will help sway the reopening of this environmental hazard in the community's favor. It was great to see many people from my neighborhood and the surrounding area at the rally.
The local copper smelter has been a part of this city's existence for the last 120 or so years. It helped spur it's rapid growth, but as the community grew so did the health dangers literally in their backyard. My neighborhood is situated in the shadow of one of the tallest smokestacks in the world. The smelter has been closed down since the 90's. However, the community is in danger once again as Asarco is seeking to regain permission to start up operations this fall. For those of you who haven't seen this monolith, it is huge. And it is equally out of place in the middle of an international community of 3 million people. Hopefully the TCEQ (which will be ruling on this issue) will vote in favor of the community. Our livelihoods and the positive momentum of the region depends on it.
More info about the rally HERE."
http://epfoursquare.blogspot.com/2007/09/stand-against-asarco.html
Faces Against ASARCO
"Faces Against ASARCO
We just got back from a "Faces against of Asarco" photo event. Around 5:30, we assembled on land owned by CEMEX at the intersection of I-10 East and Executive Center. Photographs were shot from a crane until about 6:45. I took a lot of pix too, and will have them up tonight on Flickr, in addition to updating this post. We got to see a lot of good friends: Lee, Bobby, and Johnny Byrd; representatives Beto O'Rourke (with new baby) and Suzie Byrd, her husband Eddie Holland, all the little Holland-Byrds; and Rosie Salazar (she's fine, working two jobs). Also, I got to speak to Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (we talked about giving the feds hell about the state of the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery), stood near Nancy from Bordersenses, as well as being happpy to see Mayor John Cook there as well. In all, many, many old and new friends stood in solidarity against Asarco.
A great day (impending storm and all) and I believe well over a couple of thousand people stood, raised their hands together to send a message to Austin and wave good bye to Asarco. Thanks to CEMEX for letting us assemble on their land, the EPPD for traffic control, Ardovino's Desert Crossing (Charlie’s idea for the pix), and all who stood for a very important message: we do not need, nor do we want Asarco to reopen its smelting operations in El Paso, Texas."
http://chacal-la-chaise.vox.com/library/post/faces-against-asarco.html?_c=feed-atom
A great day (impending storm and all) and I believe well over a couple of thousand people stood, raised their hands together to send a message to Austin and wave good bye to Asarco. Thanks to CEMEX for letting us assemble on their land, the EPPD for traffic control, Ardovino's Desert Crossing (Charlie’s idea for the pix), and all who stood for a very important message: we do not need, nor do we want Asarco to reopen its smelting operations in El Paso, Texas."
http://chacal-la-chaise.vox.com/library/post/faces-against-asarco.html?_c=feed-atom
Opinion...
Thank you, Asarco, for poisoning me with Toxic Waste and not telling me?
Thank you, Asarco, for putting it into our river and our aquifer??
Thank you Asarco for this great news that re-opening a smelter next to our drinking water is good science???
http://newspapertree.com/opinion/1674-re-open-asarco
Thank you, Asarco, for putting it into our river and our aquifer??
Thank you Asarco for this great news that re-opening a smelter next to our drinking water is good science???
http://newspapertree.com/opinion/1674-re-open-asarco
El Pasoans Take a Stand Against Asarco with Community Photograph 9-23 SUNDAY 6 PM!!!
El Pasoans Take a Stand Against Asarco with Community Photograph
Newspaper Tree - El Paso,TX,USA
However, on Sunday, September 23, thousands of El Pasoans--family, friends and neighbors opposed to the re-opening of Asarco--will gather together in a ...
Newspaper Tree - El Paso,TX,USA
However, on Sunday, September 23, thousands of El Pasoans--family, friends and neighbors opposed to the re-opening of Asarco--will gather together in a ...
Friday, September 21, 2007
Faces against Asarco at Executive Center
"(5.30pm Sunday)
September 21, 2007
The cities of El Paso, Ciudad Juarez and Sunland Park are trying to block the reopening of a massive copper smelter in the heart of town. It’s been mothballed since 1999, but the current owners are trying to get permission from the state of Texas to start up again. I wasn’t here at the time, but apparently when it was open, the pollution was pretty bad on the west side and in Anapra. In any event, this 19th century smelter would provide no significant economic benefit and would run counter to all the recent positive developments in the city.
This is a genius idea from Robert Ardovino. It looks like there’ll be thousands of people in front of Asarco for a photo which will be sent up to Rick Perry and co., posted on billboards in Austin etc. They ask that we show up at 5.30 and wear a white shirt. The picture will be taken at 6pm
Here’s the flyer:
http://gettheleadout.net/files/news_70.pdf "
http://johnsymons.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/mass-photo-in-front-of-asarco-530pm-sunday/
This Sunday Sept.-23'rd 5PM Executive Drive Wear White shirt
click on image to magnify it for reading!!
Arizona Governor's statement regarding Hayden and Asarco:
"I am asking that the EPA delay final decision on listing until March 31, 2008. This would provide ample time for the EPA, in close coordination with ADEQ, to enter an agreement with ASARCO to conduct remedial actions..."
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=7107451&nav=HMO6HMaW
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=7107451&nav=HMO6HMaW
Asarco loses approval to reimburse union
Asarco loses approval to reimburse union
Copper company earlier permitted to pay another $1 million for union's legal expenses.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
One of the USA Founding Fathers: John Quincy Adams' quote
"...you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve
your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."
your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."
Leon Metz article in El Paso Times
"But talking to Asarco supervisors is like talking to a body in the company cemetery. They all promise to look at the record ... and get back to me. Well, maybe their phones aren't working."
- Leon Metz
- Leon Metz
Leon Metz hit it exactly. They are like bodies in the Smelter Cemetery. And trying to get real information is like talking to dropped-call.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_6847684?source=email
"They sell the righteous for silver,...
... and the needy for a pair of sandals – they trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way. Amos 2:6b"
"Ah you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statues, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right. Isaiah 10:1-2a"
"Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land. Amos 8:4"
"Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. Your riches have rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire . James 5:1-3a"
...You see, slavery still exists. It is alive and well, it’s just that we’ve pushed it far enough out of sight so that we don’t have to confront it daily. But, have no doubt about it, our t-shirts, dinner plates, and tooth brushes – delivered by the container-full – our cheap gold necklaces and wedding bands, are all made by slaves while the earth lies dying. Our job, as those in the north and the west, is to wake up and to resist, to create links of love and friendship with others in far corners, all working to preserve the earth, her creatures, and the fragile communities that have built networks of dependence on one another and on right living.
"Ah you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statues, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right. Isaiah 10:1-2a"
"Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land. Amos 8:4"
"Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. Your riches have rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire . James 5:1-3a"
...You see, slavery still exists. It is alive and well, it’s just that we’ve pushed it far enough out of sight so that we don’t have to confront it daily. But, have no doubt about it, our t-shirts, dinner plates, and tooth brushes – delivered by the container-full – our cheap gold necklaces and wedding bands, are all made by slaves while the earth lies dying. Our job, as those in the north and the west, is to wake up and to resist, to create links of love and friendship with others in far corners, all working to preserve the earth, her creatures, and the fragile communities that have built networks of dependence on one another and on right living.
Our goal as Christians must be to stand as witnesses to what the God of Life came to earth to teach us: to sacrifice wealth and comfort, and to build real alternatives to exploitation with communities like Sipakapa. It is our job to say that what is being done in the name of “Canadians” is not okay by us. Martin and his cows are more important than Mr. Telfer and his share holders. Corn is worth more than silver. Life is worth more than gold.
"Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you. James 5:4-6
The Reverend Mother Emilie Smith is an Anglo-Catholic priest at the parish of St. James in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. Her most scary monster is greed."
http://www.geezmagazine.org/issue07/demons-rip-creation-where-humans-forget-their-calling
20070920 Asarco Asks Bankruptcy Court to Dismiss $68 Million Claim Filed by State of Texas
"From EnergyLaw360
By Christine Caulfield , christine.caulfield@portfoliomedia.com
Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 --- Bankrupt copper mining company Asarco LLC has urged a bankruptcy court to quash a $68 million claim by Texas officials for environmental damage to the state's coast, a claim it argues was filed too late.
In an objection lodged with the court on Friday, Asarco said the damage claim filed in July 2006 by the Texas attorney general on behalf of the state's natural resource trustees was barred by the statute of limitations. The claim, just one of scores against the bankrupt copper producer for environmental damage, relates to the company's Corpus Christi facility, which processed mineral ore in the production of zinc.
The Tucson, Ariz.-based company, which no longer operates the facility, argues the state was aware of the release of toxins from the site more than three years before making a claim to the court. Claims under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, otherwise known as Superfund, have a three-year statute of limitations, and that statute begins to run on discovery of a possible claim, Asarco told Judge Richard Schmidt. [our "discovery" from 7/2006 is now over 1 year old]
“The Trustees had knowledge of the alleged release and losses well before July 14, 2003, three years prior to filing a claim,” the company said. The state's knowledge was outlined in the attorney general's own proof of claim and expert report, Asarco told the court, both of which contained surveys, notices, memoranda and orders from the state warning the site was releasing dangerous metals into the Corpus Christi harbor and bay.
“It is undisputed that the state possessed knowledge of the alleged loss and its connection the alleged releases of hazardous substances at the site long before 2003,” said Asarco.
Even assuming the court were to rule that the claim was not time-barred, all portions of the state's claim relating to damage that occurred before the December 1980 effected date of Superfund were barred, the company added. Last month, Judge Schmidt approved a $31 million settlement between Asarco and the federal government over cleanup at its hazardous California Gulch smelter site in Leadville, Colorado.
The settlement resolved a $200 million lawsuit brought by U.S. environment officials and the state of Colorado more than 20 years ago. The site, which encompasses the entire town of Leadville and an 11-mile stretch of the Arkansas River, was added to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's national priority list as a hazardous wasteland in 1983. In approving the settlement, Judge Schmidt ignored the protests of Asarco's parent company, Asarco Inc., which earlier this month asked the court for an order forcing the company to seek its consent before entering into settlements “over the parent's strong protest.”
The company had slammed Asarco's haste in settling the California Gulch claims, saying the debtors had entered into an agreement despite expert analysis showing the claims were highly inflated.
“Alarmingly, the California Gulch settlement may be just the first of many settlement seeking to resolve the environmental claims that are the subject of the ongoing estimation proceeding and that are asserted in the aggregate amount of over $6.77 billion,” said the company, which lost power over Asarco in December 2005, when the court approved a corporate governance stipulation which shook up the board of directors and effectively excluded it from participation in governance matters.
Asarco, which has been active in mining, smelting and refining for over a century, still faces environmental claims at nearly 100 other sites. Those claims have been asserted by the federal government, state governments, Indian tribes and private parties. The company also faces more than 95,000 asbestos-related personal injury claims, court documents have revealed, with the total value of all claims estimated to be potentially as high as $25 billion. Asarco filed for Chapter 11 protection on Aug. 9, 2005, listing assets and liabilities in excess of $100 million."
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