SKOKIE, Ill. – The Mitsubishi Cement Corporation (MCC) cement plant in Lucerne Valley, California, received acknowledgement from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) as part of the 2015 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards. The plant was a finalist for the Outreach award, which recognizes facilities that strive to enhance community, employee, and government relations through innovative communications and programs.
A special series of tours were set up for local students with emphasis on various topics related to STEM subjects. In May 2014, the plants hosted two tours for small groups of high achieving middle school students. One group concentrated on physical science and computers, and a second group concentrated on natural sciences and resources.
Following that tour, in late November a special group of ‘at-risk’ students from a local high school received a presentation from each department describing how we use basic disciplines to do conduct a variety of positions within the plant. MCC also donated to local schools and charities through the United Way, Chambers of Commerce, local parks, hospital foundations, handicap assistance funds, and other causes.
The Energy & Environmental Awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improvement and support this spirit with action. These plants go beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes contribute to making their communities better places to live and work. Five categories are recognized: outreach, environmental performance, land stewardship, innovation, and energy efficiency. Additionally, PCA presents a special honor to a plant demonstrating excellence in multiple categories.
PCA created the award program in 2000 as part of its environment and energy strategic plan for the U.S. cement industry. The awards honor activities conducted during the previous calendar year, and the program is open to any cement manufacturing plant in North America. Judges for the 2015 awards Program included representatives from U.S. EPA-ENERGY STAR, U.S. Geological Survey, National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association, and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
About PCA
Headquartered in Skokie, Illinois with offices in Washington, DC, PCA represents America's cement manufacturers, serving as a powerful and vocal advocate for sustainability, jobs creation, economic growth, sound infrastructure investment, and overall innovation and excellence in construction throughout the U.S. More information on PCA is available at www.cement.org.