CalPortland Company is facing a charge from the US Department of Justice on behalf of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is required to pay a $350,000 civil penalty for violating Clean Air Act at its Rillito, Arizona, portland cement plant.
In addition to paying the penalty, the company has committed to either upgrade equipment, such as baghouses and spraybars to cut emissions of particulate matter, or install a new kiln and retire four existing kilns at the plant.
The settlement resolves CalPortland’s alleged violation of the Clean Air Act by failing to obtain required permits for cement kiln operations and leading to the emission of particulate matter that are hazardous to health and environment.
EPA director of air division, Pacific Southwest region Deborah Jordan said that this settlement will result in cleaner air for communities affected by the CalPortland facility.
“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,” Jordan said.