PCA Announces 2017 Energy and Environment Award Winners
May 9, 2017, WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Portland Cement Association (PCA) today announced the winners of the 2017 Energy and Environment (E&E) Awards, recognizing outstanding environmental and community relations efforts that go above and beyond what is required. Submissions from plants across the U.S. were evaluated and recognized for environmental efforts completed in 2016.
“America’s cement manufacturers are committed to making the highest quality product with a minimal environmental footprint,” said PCA President and CEO James G. Toscas. “The companies recognized today are examples of how this commitment underpins every day work at cement plants around the country. Their strong culture of innovation has led to energy efficiency and sustainable manufacturing practices that are continually lowering the impact of the cement industry on our environment.”
Presented at PCA’s Spring Board Meeting and Fly-In, the following plants were named 2017 E&E Award winners:
Energy Efficiency: CEMEX USA Construction Materials, Pacific, LLC, Victorville, Calif.
Last year marked Victorville’s fifth consecutive recognition with Energy Star certification. To stay within the top 25 percent of similar U.S. facilities, Victorville implemented energy conservation and monitoring technologies, promoted energy-efficiency awareness, and completed energy-reduction projects, including installation of alternative fuel handling systems and use of a limestone additive system to decrease clinker factor. The plant improves thermal efficiency through process optimization and actively participates in Southern California Edison’s Demand Response Programs. In addition, it uses four wind turbines, generating 6.2 megawatts of wind energy for the facility.
Environmental Performance: CEMEX USA Construction Materials, Pacific, LLC, Victorville, Calif.
The Victorville plant’s commitment to environmental excellence has earned it additional recognition. The plant’s clean air efforts and carbon footprint reduction helped it earn the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District’s Exemplar Award in 2016. In addition to generating sufficient wind energy to power the equivalent of 1,500 homes, the plant has the capacity to burn up to 25 percent alternative fuels and uses limestone to reduce the clinker factor. In 2016, the plant secured permits to replace up to 500 tons per day of fossil fuel with engineered municipal solid waste, such as non-recyclable cardboard, paper and plastics from household, commercial, and industrial waste sources that would otherwise be destined for landfills. The plant also earned Wildlife Habitat Council certification for its conservation efforts and has been well recognized as a pillar of its community.
Land Stewardship: Continental Cement Company/Green America Recycling, Hannibal, Mo.
The Hannibal cement plant has exhibited exceptional land stewardship. The Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation-certified site implemented wildlife enhancement on 11 plots of land on its 3,500 acre property. To create a foundation for sustainable habitat, Hannibal worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation to develop a Forest Stewardship Plan, mapping out 1,032 acres that would benefit from invasive species mitigation and habitat enhancement. The plant has further provided space for local high school and college students to study bird species variation. Additionally, it provides recreational opportunities at Lake ILASCO (Iron, Limestone, Aluminum, Silica, Calcium, Oxygen), a repurposed shale pit that has been converted to a stocked lake that hosts employee catch-and-release tournaments, picnics, and bird watching.
Outreach Winner: Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Lucerne Valley, Calif.
Mitsubishi Cement Corporation’s (MCC) outstanding commitment to the Lucerne Valley community has earned it recognition in this category for the second year in a row. In 2016, the MCC opened its doors to schools and the public at least 29 times, hosting over 900 people. Visitors, including many school children participating in STEM programs, were able to see the cement manufacturing process, the plant's environmental protection and energy conservation efforts, and the unique flora and fauna at the facility. In 2016, several plant staff served in leadership roles in local charities, educational organizations, and economic development groups, with MCC providing financial support toward those efforts.
To learn more, please visit: www.cement.org/about-pca/awards.