EPA v. LAFARGE NORTH AMERICA, INC. (NATIONAL CASE) (ARGOS CEMENT LLC)

Case summary

9/2/04 - EPA IS PURSUING A NATIONAL GLOBAL SETTLEMENT WITH LAFARGE NORTH AMERICA, INC., WHICH OPERATES 13 CEMENT MANUFACTURING PLANTS IN REGIONS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, AND 10. REGION 4 HAS THREE PLANTS IN ATLANTA, ROBERTA, AL, AND HARLEYVILLE, SC. THIS IS A PSD CASE. EPA ALLEGES THAT LAFARGE TRIGGERED PSD AT MOST OF THE PLANTS WHEN IT CONVERTED FROM A LOW SULFUR COAL TO A MIXTURE OF COAL AND HIGH SULFUR PETROLEUM COKE (PETCOKE). DUE TO THE HIGHER SULFUR CONTENT OF SULFUR FUEL INPUT, SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2) EMISSIONS CAN INCREASE ABOVE THE PSD THRESHOLD. 3/18/2010 - THE CONSENT DECREE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: 1. General Requirements: a. CD Effective Date: 03/18/10 b. Expected Date of Final Penalty Payment: 04/17/10 (within 30days of 03/18/10) c. Permitting i. Have a permit application submitted to the permitting authority requesting the limits and requirements of the CD by 03/18/12 d. Reporting i. Submit semiannual reports throughout the duration of the CD to both the State agency and EPA e. Expected Date of Full CD Completion: 03/18/13 (upon 3 yrs of operating necessary controls) 2. Harleyville Cement Plant, Kiln 1: 463 Judge St, Harleyville, South Carolina 29448 a. Expected Date of SEP Completion: b. Requirements i. NOx Emissions 1. Meet NOx requirements of it current Title V permit issued 12/14/07 2. Install a NOx CEMS by 03/18/11 ii. SO2 Emissions 1. Meet SO2 requirements of it current Title V permit issued 12/14/07 2. Install a SO2 CEMS by 03/18/11 3. Atlanta Cement Plant, Kiln 1: 2520 Paul Ave, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318 a. The Atlanta Cement Plant, Kiln 1, is permanently shut down. b. Within 30 Days after the Effective Date, Lafarge shall apply to the State of Georgia for and upon issuance retire fifty NOx Emission Reduction Credits. 4. Roberta Cement Plant, Kiln 5: 8039 Highway 25 West, Calera, Alabama 35040 a. Expected Date of SEP Completion: b. Requirements i. NOx Emissions 1. Meet a 2.4 lbs NOx/ton clinker limit by 03/18/10 2. Install a NOx CEMS by 03/18/11 ii. SO2 Emissions 1. Meet the 2.2 lbs SO2/ton clinker limit by 03/18/10 2. Install a SO2 CEMS by 03/18/11

Defendants (3)

• LAFARGE NORTH AMERICA, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• LAFARGE BUILDING MATERIALS, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• LAFARGE MIDWEST, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• ARGOS CEMENT, LLC

  2520 PAUL AVENUE NW, ATLANTA, GA, 30318

  Registry ID: 110000357569

• QUIKRETE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, LLC

  8039 HWY 25 WEST, CALERA, AL, 35040

  Registry ID: 110000589015

• QUIKRETE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, LLC

  8039 HWY 25 WEST, CALERA, AL, 35040

  Registry ID: 110000589015

• QUIKRETE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, LLC

  8039 HWY 25 WEST, CALERA, AL, 35040

  Registry ID: 110000589015

• QUIKRETE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, LLC

  463 JUDGE STREET, HARLEYVILLE, SC, 29448

  Registry ID: 110001666064

• QUIKRETE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, LLC

  8039 HWY 25 WEST, CALERA, AL, 35040

  Registry ID: 110000589015

Statutes cited

• CAA 165 — Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• LAFARGE NORTH AMERICA, INC. (NATIONAL CASE) (ARGOS CEMENT LLC)entered 2010-03-18

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $780,692 · State/local: $110,500

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 2004-09-02Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2004-09-20Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2010-01-21Final Order Lodged
• 2010-01-21Complaint Filed With Court
• 2010-03-18Concluded
• 2010-03-18Final Order Entered
• 2018-05-22Enforcement Action Closed
• 2018-05-22Air Resolved