Asarco became the leader in the State of Texas and in the nation in the early nineties
by embarking on one of the most ambitious air emission reduction programs ever introduced.
The project, known as CONTOP, modernized Asarco’s 100-year-old copper smelter at an investment of more than $100 million. CONTOP had overwhelming support from local, state and federal elected officials and regulators. The project benefited both the community and Asarco by increasing production for Asarco and substantially reducing air emissions in the community. (Prior to the modernization, Asarco released 46,766 tons of sulfur dioxide. After the modernization, Asarco reduced those emissions to less than 6,673 tons per year.)
The new construction required Asarco to get an air permit. And, air permits must be renewed every ten years.
In 2002, Asarco applied for its “no increase” permit renewal for the CONTOP facility. A no-increase renewal is considered a routine renewal because it means that the renewal would not result in an increase in allowable emissions and would not result in the emission of an air contaminant not previously emitted.
However, in 2004, the TCEQ commissioners ruled for the first time in the State of Texas to allow a contested case hearing on a routine renewal. The precedent-setting ruling made in the public interest using a broad interpretation of a law in the Water Code was made due to pressure from a local state senator who is opposed to Asarco re-opening and leading a propaganda campaign against the facility.
Asarco is working hard to prove - for the second time in a decade that our modern, state-of-the-art facility is safe for the public and its employees.
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