In Brief Dump site dumped The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission voted unanimously to kill the project to build a low-level radioactive waste disposal site near Sierra Blanca, citing the risk of earthquakes at the site, which is just 90 miles east of El Paso. Texas legislators will most likely consider turning over the project to a private company in Andrews County, northwest of Midland, where residents want the project. In program, designed to get El Pasoans to vote, was considered a challenge by Houston Chronicle capitol bureau chief Bo Byers, Former U.S. Rep. Jake Pickle and former Austin City Councilman Willie Kocurek. The three have formed a group that is working to boost Austin's voter turnout beyond El Paso's. He threatened to go public with their names, saying they are dragging their feet.
Subcontractors claim that they have run into unforeseen problems.
Phelps Dodge Mining Co. announced that it would cut 500 jobs at two of its operations near Silver City, beginning immediately. While 800 will still work at the Chino Mines Co., Phelps Dodge warned that it may close that mine, as well. SUG plan okayed City Council unanimously approved granting Southern Union Gas permission to pass benefits or additional costs through to customers for an alternate way to purchase gas supplies. If the actual market cost exceeds that cap, consumers will save the difference. City seeks HMO El Paso City Hall is seeking a new health maintenance organization to replace HMO Blue which notified over 1,300 city employees that their premiums would increase by 35 percent next year.