PCA Statement Regarding the Court Decision on the Portland Cement NESHAP

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) today released the following statement regarding the DC Circuit Court decision on Natural Resources Defense Council v. EPA regarding the portland cement national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). 

The statement below is attributable to Gregory M. Scott, president and CEO, Portland Cement Association, located in Washington, DC.

If you are writing a story and would like more information on this issue, please contact Patti Flesher of PCA at 847.972.9136 or pflesher@cement.org.

“PCA is very pleased that the D.C. Circuit panel supported EPA’s revised portland cement NESHAP standards and the Agency’s revision of the cement NESHAP compliance date.  The compliance date reset is providing PCA members with the additional time needed to comply with the NESHAP standards.  Such time is essential to properly complete the planning, engineering, permitting, testing and construction of the various new technologies that will be necessary to implement the revised standards. 

“EPA’s revised cement NESHAP rule struck the right balance in establishing compliance limits that, while still extremely challenging, are realistic and achievable.  Today, the court agreed with EPA’s balancing of these important issues.  The revised standards and compliance period are essential to preserving jobs at domestic cement facilities, providing direct support for an American manufacturing industry that is critical to our nation’s infrastructure.

“PCA is disappointed that the court did not support that portion of EPA’s revised cement NESHAP rule that established an affirmative defense with respect to emissions during the start-up, shutdown or malfunction (SSM) of a cement manufacturing plant.  How EPA can address the complex issue of SSM will have to be re-examined in light of the court’s decision.  The court also did not address states’ ability to enact such affirmative defenses.  PCA looks forward to working with EPA on achieving a positive result on the SSM issue in the near future. 

“PCA supports meeting the demand for portland cement through environmentally and socially responsible business practices, which have been implemented for decades by our member companies in their local communities.  The industry has invested in technology to reduce air emissions, minimize waste production, recycle and recover inputs, enhance energy efficiency and conserve natural resources – all the while producing a reliable and affordable supply of building materials to support our economy.

“PCA and its member companies are continually working to identify innovative ways to improve plant operations and implement state-of-the-art technologies to minimize emissions, promote a safe workplace, improve energy efficiency and conserve natural resources while cost-effectively producing a high-quality product.”

About PCA
Based in Washington D.C. with offices in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement manufacturing companies in the United States. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.