Source: Industrial Info Resources

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing significant changes to mercury-emissions regulations for cement plants. Proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants would set limits on mercury emissions from existing cement kilns and tighten emissions limits for any new kilns. Existing portland kilns are the fourth-largest contributor to total U.S. mercury emissions, according to EPA. The Clean Air Act was amended in 1990 to give the EPA authority to regulate hazardous substances, including mercury.

Proposed regulations further address limitations on emissions of hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, and hydrochloric acid. The agency posted details in the Federal Register on April 22, will take public commentary for 60 days, and will host a public hearing on the topic if requested. If enacted, the EPA expects the rule to reduce related annual mercury emissions by 81 percent, hydrocarbon emissions by 75 percent and sulfur dioxide emissions by 90 percent.

Andy O'Hare, Vice President of Regulatory affairs for the Portland Cement Association, responded that the organization "considers the standards unachievable" and that plants "may not be able to achieve the standards even after having made significant investments in emission control technologies." O'Hare insisted, however, that the PCA "has supported the rising demand for portland cement through…state-of-the-art technologies to minimize emissions, promote a safe workplace, improve energy efficiency, and conserve natural resources."

Marketing information service Industrial Info Resources is currently tracking 172 operational cement plants within its North American Plant Database and has reported 115 cement-related projects with combined total investment values of $1.88 billion that are kicking off April 2009 or later.