State rep pushes for El Paso county control over fire-prone recycling plants

Texas representative Mary Gonzalez is pushing for El Paso County to obtain authority to oversee recycling businesses with reoccurring fire issues.

Over the past couple of years, El Paso County has seen several fires at various recycling plants, causing a massive emergency response and danger to nearby communities.

Gonzalez has filed a to give authority to El Paso County to oversee these recycling plants to make sure the businesses are keeping up with regulations.

"I think that the piece of legislation is part of a larger plan to address this problem that keeps on occurring. And so we're working together with the county and the state to make sure we're putting all the puzzle pieces together to protect our constituents," stated Gonzalez.

The authority would allow the county to mitigate the possibility of future fires at junkyards and recycling plants.

"Fires can be really traumatic. They cause obviously air pollution. They are a strain on our emergency resources. They also have the potential to spread. So we have to be really serious when there are constant violations that cause these junkyard fires," said Gonzalez.

The bill was filed on November 12, ahead of the meeting of the Texas state legislature in January.

Juan Chico owns a junkyard in Montana Vista, whose yard caught fire in April.

Chico said he's been to court three times with El Paso County following that fire.

The county has since mandated clean-up efforts of Chico's junkyard and temporarily shut down his operations until the area is in compliance.

"We're cleaning and we spend, like, two containers, 30 yards each, one a week. So we are almost finished. They are coming and inspecting, looking, taking pictures, of what we are doing," said Chico.

If Gonzalez's bill were to pass, Chico said he has no issue with more laws regulating his business.

"I have my business here. So if there's more laws or sheriff, I'm gonna be happy with that," said Chico.

KFOX14/CBS4 reached out to County Commissioner Carlos Leon to discuss the progress the county has made with their task force that was designed to address fire prevention.

However, Commissioner Leon did not respond to our requests.

KFOX14/CBS4 will share updates on any response we get and if Gonzalez's bill passes through the Texas state legislature.