CEMEX to Pay for Significant Violations of Air Quality
Permit
Decenber 22, 2006, DENVER – The Air Pollution
Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment has resolved a significant air quality
enforcement matter with CEMEX, Inc. for $1.5 million. The
penalty stems from permit violations at the CEMEX portland
cement manufacturing plant in Lyons, Colo. The order cites
CEMEX for failing to comply with numerous air quality permit
conditions throughout 2004-2006. These include conditions
relating to dust and opacity, as well as operating
temperatures at the facility which can affect air emissions.
“The state takes these permit conditions very seriously"
said Margie Perkins, outgoing director of the Air Pollution
Control Division. "These permit conditions are very
important, and are intended to ensure the facility does not
generate dust and particles that can have a real effect on
the community. The permit also requires the facility to
operate at temperatures that ensure emissions are safe and
protective of human health and the environment.” Of the
total settlement, $950,000 will be dedicated towards
supplemental environmental projects to improve environmental
performance at the facility or to otherwise benefit the
community. The settlement also requires that a cash
penalty be paid, that ambient air quality monitors be
installed at the facility and imposes a moratorium on the
burning of tires as a fuel source for the facility through
2007. "This is one of the largest enforcement matters the
Air Pollution Control Division has ever completed and
reflects the significant nature of CEMEX's violations," said
Paul Tourangeau, incoming director of the Air Pollution
Control Division.
"The state takes very seriously instances where facility
operators are not vigilant, or are cavalier, about
consistently adhering to the specific terms and conditions
ascribed to the safe operation of their facility," added
Tourangeau. "We have every hope that the magnitude of this
enforcement matter is a catalyst for change in the way CEMEX
has operated its Lyons facility and serves to benefit the
community that lives in and around the CEMEX facility."
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