Lessons learned

[Marianne Thaeler <mthaeler@aol.com>]

Years ago my first interest in environmental quality issues taught everyone some valuable lessons.

They were both issues involving large smelting corporations in my area.

I read in the paper that our Governor at the time had negotiated a settlement with one multi-national copper smelter over fines that had been levied against it. I happen to have obtained a copy of their filings with the Security and Exchange Commission, and knew that this corporation had budgeted funds for the fine before the fine was levied. Sadly I had to inform the Governor after the settlement had been reached. If he had known, the state would have been richer and the veracity of this major corporation would have been exposed.

The second involved scrubbers on stacks. After much publicity, including threats of smelter shut down, loss of jobs, inability to pay, etc. the requirement for scrubbers remained. The smelter invited the League of Women Voters on a tour of the plant and a press op. One LWV member pointed to an electrical outlet and asked, why is the new equipment not plugged in? The press took pictures and the corporate officer had to admit it had not installed all of the equipment, although press releases had indicated otherwise. After the scrubbers were installed, the corp filings showed they turned a profit from acid production and sales in less that 5 years, increasing profits and local employment. 

In both these cases, collaboration with the local publics, made a difference in the future and eventual outcomes.

Tough enforcement is appreciated by the public, and "negotiations" can be considered pay backs to large corporations. As one corporate leader told me, "Complain as we may and feel that we must, we are fully aware that the cost of environmental compliance is an expected cost of doing business." 

Marianne Thaeler
City of Las Cruces, NM, 
Environmental Quality Advisory Committee and Member Fort Bliss RAB