SKOKIE, Ill.—Six cement plants received special recognition for their commitment to improving the environment and their communities at the Sixth Annual Cement Industry Environment and Energy Awards, presented by Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine, at the Portland Cement Association's Spring Meeting in La Jolla., Calif., on Mar. 19, 2007.

The awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improvement and support this spirit with action. These plants went beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes and policies contributed to making their communities better places to live and work.

“The cement industry is dedicated to producing a superior product while continuously challenging manufacturing policies and procedures to minimize our environmental footprint,” said Charlie T. Sunderland, PCA chairman and CEO of Ash Grove Cement Company. “The awards program recognizes these ongoing efforts.”

Six categories recognized plants throughout the United State and Canada (listed by category, company, and plant location):

• Overall Environmental Excellence: St. Marys Cement Inc., Charlevoix, Mich.
• Outreach: Holcim (US) Inc., Theodore, Ala.
• Environmental Performance: St. Marys Cement Inc., Bowmanville, Ontario
• Land Stewardship: CEMEX, Davenport, Calif.
• Innovation: CEMEX, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Energy Efficiency: California Portland Cement Company, Mojave, Calif.

Overall Environmental Excellence
St. Marys Cement Inc.—Charlevoix, Mich.
Honored as the runner-up in the land stewardship and outreach categories, the St. Marys Charlevoix plant demonstrates excellence in several aspects of environmental responsibility. In 2006, the plant installed a new indirect firing system that reduced both fuel consumption and emissions. The plant also replaced power plant fly ash with on-site shale, overburden, and purchased bottom ash to reduce mercury emissions. Close to a residential area, the facility conducted a noise study that lead to the design and installation of silencers resulting in less noise for the surrounding community. Working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, St Marys maintained a fish-stocking program for the Chinook salmon fingerlings and worked to encourage the regional resurgence of the bald eagle by constructing nesting platforms on its property. In 2006, the plant launched a local newsletter to inform the local community about environmental projects at the plant.

Outreach
Holcim (US) Inc.—Theodore, Ala.
The Holcim Theodore plant worked in 2006 to make its community a cleaner place to live and work. Employees volunteered in the annual household hazardous waste recycling day and an event to dispose of electronic equipment in an environmentally sound manner. The plant also participated in a clean up of the Mobile Bay and its surrounding waterways. As part of the Nineteenth Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup Day, a worldwide event where volunteers remove trash and debris from coastal waters, Theodore employees organized an event for the Theodore Industrial Canal where volunteers removed 3000 pounds of debris.

Environmental Performance Award
St. Marys Cement Inc.—Bowmanville, Ontario
The Bowmanville plant won the Environmental Performance Award, which honors facilities that take steps beyond those contained in environmental laws, regulations, permits, and requirements to minimize their impact on the environment. During 2006, the plant instituted a state-of-the-art environmental management system and achieved impressive reductions in emissions. The new systems allowed the facility to reduce sulfur dioxide (SOx) emissions by 53 percent and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 18 percent. The reductions go far beyond regulatory reduction limits.

Land Stewardship
CEMEX—Davenport, Calif.
CEMEX in Davenport, Calif., won the Land Stewardship Award, which recognizes efforts to protect and enhance the surrounding land. The Davenport plant reclaimed 16 acres of its quarry with native habitat. The plant also conducts a sustainable forestry management program that annually plants 20,000 redwood seedlings. In 2006, a portion of the timber harvest was allocated to community and conservation projects. The property also provides special habitat for a variety of wildlife and is home to several endangered and threatened species.

Innovation
CEMEX—Knoxville, Tenn.
The CEMEX plant in Knoxville won the Innovation Award, which recognizes industry leaders in the development and application of innovation technologies and techniques relevant to environmental protection or energy efficiency. Long an innovator in the development of technologies to reduce emissions, the plant identified the residue of oily water from oil collection centers as a source for its water injection treatment to reduce NOx emissions. In 2006, the plant used more than 260,000 gallons of oily water, saving the need to send the material to a publicly owned treatment works. The water-injection system annually reduces NOx emissions by approximately 15 percent.

Energy Efficiency
California Portland Cement Company—Mojave, Calif.
The California Portland Cement Company’s Mojave plant is the first repeat winner in the same category in the six-year history of the awards. Despite the high bar the plant set in 2005, it continued to improve. California Portland reduced its greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 by 31,247 metric tons over 2005. In an effort to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, they signed a 25-year contract with a wind energy company that ensures a large portion of the power consumed at the plant will be from a renewable energy source. California Portland demonstrated leadership in the promotion of energy efficiency by assuming the role of energy-efficiency ambassadors to the cement industry to encourage duplication of their efforts to save energy, emissions, and dollars. Examples of energy saving focus areas include high efficiency process improvements, electrical and lighting systems, compressed air, mechanical systems and drives, plant operations, engineering, and maintenance, and public education.

History of the Awards
The awards program was created in 2000 by the Portland Cement Association as part of its renewed environment and energy strategic plan for the U.S. cement industry. PCA and Cement Americas magazine presented the first Cement Industry Environmental Awards in 2002 to the winners for 2001. 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 awards represent independent groups such as PCA, Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, World Resources Institute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Wildlife Fund.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.

# # #