How can anyone in good conscience not talk about the illegal toxic waste. How stupid the Governor Perry must think El Pasoans are, to give us doublespeak and think that we don't know fiction from fact. He says, "If you break those rules, we will come after you and we will make it painful." I sincerely doubt his words because it hasn't happened in all the time that the smelter operated; and, not even when they were caught smelting the illegal stuff after years of sending it into our homes and cities. The Toxic waste has not been addressed - it has been left out of every permitting discussion and the bankruptcy negotiations: God help our children because the Governor is not.
"Q: What is your reaction to the TCEQ’s decision to grant the air permit and allow Asarco to reopen its copper smelter in El Paso?
I am a pro-business governor. I am a big believer in saying, “Here are the rules. If you meet the rules, here is your permit.” For us to govern in any other way – to say, well, we don’t want this particular business but we do want that kind business and to accommodate that we’ll establish different sets of standards – is not the message we want to broadcast to people who want to come into El Paso or the rest of Texas.
What we have to do is tell any business that may have a negative impact on the environment that these are our rules. If you break those rules, we will come after you and we will make it painful. If you live within these rules, welcome to Texas and thank you for the jobs and continued good luck.
Whether it’s Asarco or an electric power plant or whatever the business may be, here are the rules.
If someone thinks we need to change the rules, they can come to the Legislature, work with their duly elected officials and use the legal process to change these rules or change these standards. That’s the thoughtful way that people should conduct their business. That’s the democratic process."
http://www.elpasoinc.com/showArticle.asp?articleId=2243
