CEMEX Fined $2 Mil for Air Pollution Violations at California Plant

Federal prosecutors have slammed CEMEX California Cement LLC with a $2 million fine for flagrant Clean Air Act violations at its massive Victorville, Calif., Portland cement plant.

The feds allege that CEMEX has been spewing pollutants like nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide into the air without proper permits. The company’s actions are said to have contributed to smog in the region, which fails to meet federal ozone and particulate matter standards.

Under the terms of the consent decree, CEMEX must now install state-of-the-art pollution controls at its Victorville facility, resulting in a 40% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. The costly upgrades are expected to cost millions more for the cement manufacturer.

The EPA estimates that achieving compliance with these new emission limits could require CEMEX to invest millions of dollars in environmental technology.

This settlement stems from claims that CEMEX violated the Clean Air Act on two occasions by modifying its plant without undergoing required regulatory review or obtaining necessary permits. The company’s actions were deemed to have significantly increased its capacity to pollute.

Nitrogen oxide, a harmful air pollutant linked to smog and respiratory problems, has been a major concern in the Victorville area. Federal prosecutors are hopeful that the new controls will improve air quality for local residents.