CalPortland Co. Settles with DOJ on Permitting Issues

The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has lodged a consent decree resolving Clean Air Act claims against CalPortland Co. with respect to the company’s Rillito, Ariz., portland cement plant.

The settlement resolves claims that CalPortland did not obtain permits required by the Clean Air Act. As a result of the settlement, CalPortland will either upgrade equipment, such as baghouses and spraybars to reduce particle pollution, or install a new kiln and retire four existing kilns. The cement manufacturer must pay a $350,000 civil penalty.

“This settlement will result in cleaner air for communities affected by the CalPortland facility,” says Deborah Jordan, director of the EPA’s Air Division for the Pacific Southwest region. “To safeguard the public health, all cement plants need to be properly permitted and keep their air emissions within the limits set by federal law.”

To view the consent decree or to submit comments, please visit: http://www.justice.gov/enrd/4759.htm