EPA Gives Cement Producers a Break

Cement kilns nationwide will have an extra two years – until Sept. 9, 2015 – to comply with an EPA emissions regulation, if a new proposal passes.

A reprieve is in the works for cement kiln operators from the Environmental Protection Agency, extending the deadline to comply with a 2010 clean air regulation, as well as increasing limits for soot particle emissions.

The proposed regulatory change, announced on June 25, would extend the 2010 rule's compliance date for the cement-plant standards by two years, to Sept. 9, 2015.

The proposal would raise the allowable emissions levels of particulates – or soot – and change the method kiln owners use to measure those emissions. The 2010 regulation's limits for mercury, hydrocarbons and hydrogen chloride would not be altered.

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) praised EPA’s action. PCA head Brian McCarthy said the proposed revisions “are a win for the nation’s economy, the environment and cement manufacturers.”

The cement-producing industry “has been hit hard by the recession,” McCarthy said, and the extension “is essential to each cement plant’s ability to complete any planning, engineering and construction that may be necessary to comply with the standards.”

Environmental organizations were unhappy about the proposed revisions, including the extension. “Further delay will have horrible consequences for public health and the environment,” said Jim Pew, an attorney with Earthjustice.

One proposed change will alter the standard for existing cement plants to 0.07 pounds of particulate matter per ton of clinker, based on an average of the readings from three, one-hour stack tests; the 2010 regulation’s standard was a 30-day average of 0.04 lb per ton, using continuous emissions monitoring. The revised rule is estimated to trim particulates emissions nationwide by 9,354 tons per year, about 135 fewer tons annually than the 2010 regulation would cut—a difference of 1.4%.

EPA also estimates the new particulate limits and monitoring changes would save the industry $18.6 million in capital expenses, and $12.2 million in annual costs compared with the costs of the 2010 regulation.

Comments on the proposed regulation are due 30 days after their publication in the Federal Register. The rule had not appeared in the Register at press time. The EPA is expected to finalize the rule in December.