CEMEX Lyons Plant Agrees to Settlement with State.Points to Major Changes & Community Cooperation as Commitment Going Forward LYONS, Colo. -- Stressing the major, ongoing positive changes that have occurred at the facility, the CEMEX CEMEX Cementos Mexicanos cement manufacturing plant in Lyons today closed a major chapter in its history by agreeing to a settlement with state regulators for primarily data monitoring issues, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Steve Goodrich, the plant manager. The company stressed that the alleged violations neither imposed nor caused any threats to public health or the environment. CEMEX and the state Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE CDPHE Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ) have agreed that CEMEX will do the following: * invest $500,000 towards a Supplemental Environmental Project * pay $450,000 to StEPP Foundation, a non-profit organization A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "non-profit" or "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose primary objective is to support or to actively engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit purposes. * pay $350,000 to the state's general fund * spend $200,000 for air monitoring at the plant site. The company also agreed to a 12-month moratorium on the burning of tires as fuel for the kiln at the plant - a major source of concern by local residents. The plant is required to monitor temperature, which is a surrogate surrogate n. 1) a person acting on behalf of another or a substitute, including a woman who gives birth to a baby of a mother who is unable to carry the child. 2) a judge in some states (notably New York) responsible only for probates, estates, and adoptions. for dioxin dioxin Aromatic compound, any of a group of contaminants produced in making herbicides (e.g., Agent Orange), disinfectants, and other agents. Their basic chemical structure consists of two benzene rings connected by a pair of oxygen atoms; when substituents on the rings are and furan furan: see furfural. . When excess temperature recordings were discovered, the company immediately commenced an extensive investigation and corrected the issues surrounding the temperature monitoring. CEMEX subsequently conducted testing, supervised and approved by CDPHE, which clearly showed that, at the temperatures the plant operates under, there were no exceedances of dioxin or furan. "Reaching a settlement with our state regulators is a positive way for us to continue our momentum, building on the improvements at our plant and in our communications with our neighbors and all levels of government," said Goodrich, who took the helm of the facility in May 2006. Goodrich said the specific improvements already implemented at the plant (or in process) have focused on three general areas: reducing dust, reducing noise and improving environmental sustainability. Controlling Dust * A reduced footprint at the plant that significantly lessens the distance the raw materials must travel at the site, reducing dust on and around the facility. * Paving of internal roads to reduce the dust produced by vehicles. * Automating the truck wash and installing permanent curbing to channel all cement trucks through the wash. * Redesigning and installing new dust collectors. * Using technology to reduce dust coming from raw material conveyor belts conveyor belt One of various devices that provide mechanized movement of material, as in a factory. Conveyor belts are used in industrial applications and also on large farms, in warehousing and freight-handling, and in movement of raw materials. on the site. Reducing Noise * Using much quieter high pressure air canisters to eliminate debris in the plant's spray tower Spray towers or spray chambers are a form of pollution control technology. They consist of empty cylindrical vessels made of steel or plastic and nozzles that spray liquid into the vessels. instead of dynamite dynamite, explosive made from nitroglycerin and an inert, porous filler such as wood pulp, sawdust, kieselguhr, or some other absorbent material. The proportions vary in different kinds of dynamite; often ammonium nitrate or sodium nitrate is added. . * Have and will continue to conduct scientific noise surveys to determine levels in the area. Future noise surveys will be conducted in part to evaluate actions taken to reduce our noise level at the fence line. Improving Environmental Sustainability * Reclamation and re-vegetation of previously disturbed areas with native species grass. * Extending green areas of the facility. * Implementing a recyclable waste Recyclable waste is a waste type that has the potential to be recycled. A typical municipal waste stream (bin bag) contains the following components that can be recycled if recovered in a suitably clean state with little contamination: * Planting additional trees on site. CEMEX also has expanded its staff of environmental professionals who are charged with the day-to-day oversight of the plant's compliance and environmental standards. The plant has been engaged in an aggressive community outreach effort that includes working with the Citizens Advisory Panel (CAP) that meets monthly, the publishing of a community newsletter sent to homes throughout Lyons and an open house held this summer that drew more than 300 neighbors. CEMEX is a growing global building solutions company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Commemorating its 100th anniversary in 2006, CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through its efforts to pursue innovative industry solutions and efficiency advancements and to promote a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.cemexusa.com. |
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