CONFLICT OVER TIRE BURNING CEMENT FIRM WANTS RUBBER TO FIRE UP KILNS.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

ROSAMOND - National Cement Co. is seeking a permit to burn used tires to supplement the petroleum coke and natural gas that powers its cement-manufacturing plant in the far western Antelope Valley.

Using tires as a fuel source is both economical and environmentally sound, the company says, while opponents argue it will increase production of a suspected carcinogen.

Kern County Air Pollution Control District officials will hold a public hearing in Rosamond on Wednesday to take testimony on the request by National Cement.

The plant, located north of Highway 138 and east of Interstate 5, east of Gorman, could use the tires to make up as much as 25 percent of the fuel for its kiln.

``It has a greater fuel value than coal,'' said Don Unmacht, president of National Cement. ``It makes economical sense and it makes good environmental sense.''

Burning used tires has benefits for a cement manufacturer, said Michael Blumenthal, senior technical director for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. The tires put out more heat per pound than coal; they cost less than coal; they emit less nitrogen oxides, a key component of smog; and they help kilns run more efficiently.

The public also benefits by having fewer tires heading toward landfills, Blumenthal said.

Opponents of tire burning include the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and, on a local level, Desert Citizens Against Pollution.

While acknowledging the decrease in nitrogen oxides, burning used tires in a cement kiln will result in an increase in the emissions of dioxin, a suspected cancer-causing agent, they argue.

``It's not a good trade-off,'' said Jane Williams, a board member of Desert Citizens Against Pollution. ``There is already too much dioxin.''

Opponents also argue that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not done enough to regulate emissions from cement kilns in general. On Oct. 28, Sierra Club and Earthjustice filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to have the EPA issue regulations to reduce air pollution from cement kilns.

The lawsuit seeks to force the EPA to comply with a December 2000 federal Court of Appeals ruling directing the agency to issue regulations under the Clean Air Act to limit air pollutants from cement kilns.

Project supporters said there will be no discernible difference in emissions. Supporters also note that the air pollution control district has already approved the project's environmental impact report at its Sept. 8 meeting.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association estimates there are more than 53 million tires burned annually in cement kilns in the United States. There are 43 companies across the country using tires as a fuel supplement.

Tires were first used as a fuel source for cement kilns in Europe in 1975. The practice started in the United States in 1987.

The public hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hummel Hall, 2500 20th Street W.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com