On April 19, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing St. Lawrence Cement from beginning operations at its nearly completed Camden, N.J. slag grinding plant, saying toxic emissions from the facility would harm nearby residents and violate their civil rights.

St. Lawrence said it intends to appeal the court's decision. The company said a lawsuit was filed by South Camden Citizens in Action against the state Department of Environmental Protection. St. Lawrence said it has complied with “all applicable laws, including all environmental permitting and health-based requirements.”