14 DAY TRIAL // Major polluting companies that refuse to comply with the new regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have to take a significant amount of money out of their pockets.
This appears to be the case of CalPortland, a cement plant located in in the vicinity of Mojave, whose owners will have to pay a fine worth $1.4 million (€1.074million) and invest in equipment evaluated at $1.3 million (€998 million) meant to curb the level of dangerous emissions, Los Angeles Times informs.
EPA representatives say this is the highest fine ever given to a cement plant. Their decision to sanction CalPortland appears to be very important, because it sets an example for this entire line of business playing an important role in decreasing air quality.
Pollution coming from cement plants has been been correlated with the presence of harmful smog and a growing incidence of asthma and other respiratory problems.
"It comes at a time when the EPA is focusing on cement production as a sector which can make significant improvements in air quality nationwide," stated Jared Blumenfeld, the EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest.
On the other hand, the company criticized for its high level of air pollution said it would comply with EPA's claims and focus on limiting the dangerous levels of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Appropriate equipment could guarantee the success of this initiative, improving the image of the cement factory, currently considered a major polluter, because it emits 3,200 tons of nitrogen oxides and 1,200 tons of sulfur dioxide every year, according to EPA's estimations.
CalPortland has 12 months to implement all the changes requested by the agency. Nevertheless, CalPortland thinks that all the modifications will take time and noticeable results should appear in a matter of years.
“Our focus will be implementation and resolution of the settlement, a process that will unfold over the next few years," stated CalPortland Vice President Scott Isaacson.