CEMEX Cement Plant Choked California With Illegal Emissions

VICTORVILLE, CA – Cement giant CEMEX California Cement is coughing up $2 million and agreeing to massive emissions reductions after years of pumping illegal pollutants into the California air. Federal prosecutors finalized a deal with the company today, resolving claims that the Victorville plant repeatedly violated the Clean Air Act, effectively turning the region’s skies into a smog factory.

The feds allege CEMEX skirted environmental regulations dating back to 1997 and 2000, making significant upgrades to the plant without obtaining proper permits or installing necessary pollution controls. This allowed the facility – one of the largest cement plants in the U.S. – to dramatically increase its output of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, all while dodging accountability. The EPA complaint detailed that CEMEX failed to undergo required regulatory review, essentially operating outside the law for over a decade.

The settlement forces CEMEX to meet stringent new emission limits, including a nearly 40% reduction in nitrogen oxide – a key ingredient in smog. Officials estimate the company will slash nitrogen oxide emissions by 1,890 tons annually. But the cost doesn’t stop at the fine. The EPA anticipates CEMEX will shell out millions more to actually implement the required upgrades and maintain compliance. This isn’t charity; it’s damage control forced by the courts.

“This wasn’t a mistake, it was a calculated risk,” said a source within the EPA investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “CEMEX knowingly chose to pollute, prioritizing profit over public health. The Victorville area already struggles to meet federal air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter, and this plant was a major contributor to the problem.” Nitrogen oxide isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it directly impacts respiratory health, particularly for children and the elderly.

Ronald J. Tenpas, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division, declared the settlement a win for federal enforcement, stating it demonstrates “continued commitment to enforcing federal environmental laws and protecting the nation’s air quality.” Deborah Jordan, director of the EPA’s Air Division in the Pacific Southwest region, highlighted the plant’s position as the largest source of nitrogen oxide in California, suggesting the mandated changes will have a “significant impact.”

The consent decree is now subject to a 30-day public comment period before final court approval. While the $2 million penalty and mandated upgrades are a step towards cleaner air, critics argue it’s a slap on the wrist for a corporation raking in billions. Grimy Times will continue to track this case and investigate whether CEMEX fully complies with the terms of the settlement. Further information can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html and http://www.epa.gov/region09/air/index.html.