A hearing has been set for Feb. 13.

El Paso Mayor John Cook said in a written statement, “The City hopes the commissioners will consider all of the evidence and do the right thing for the citizens by denying the ASARCO renewal application. The international opposition to ASARCO’s permit requests cuts across all political, partisan and geographical lines – and includes federal, state, city and county elected officials, the mayors of Sunland Park, N.M, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, local residents, prominent business owners, civic leaders, and health officials. This widespread opposition to the ASARCO renewal application is a result of ASARCO's flagrant record of non-compliance with environmental protection rules and its threat to public health.”

An ASARCO representative said they were anticipating a fair hearing.

Tom Aldrich, vice president of ASARCO environmental affairs said the company is “looking forward to the meeting. ASARCO is actively participating in the permit process. They remain confident that the rule of law will be followed and the permit will be renewed.”