SKOKIE, Ill. – The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine acknowledged the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation plant in Lucerne Valley, Calif., as part of the 2009 Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards.  The plant was a finalist in the Outreach category which recognizes facilities that strive to enhance community, employee, and government relations through innovative communications and programs.

In 2008, the Mitsubishi Cushenbury plant was featured in PBS’s children show “Curiosity Quest Goes Green.” The segment focused on how used tires are recycled as fuel in the cement manufacturing process and aired on several PBS affiliates.  The plant accepted nearly two million waste tires for fuel in 2008. 

The plant also has several outreach programs in the local schools.  In 2008, it sponsored a student essay contest through the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium entitled “Build It Enviro-Friendly.”  Students were encouraged to research the environmental benefits of concrete construction.  Additionally, several Mitsubishi staff members serve on local educational and scholarship foundations.   During 2008, there were 18 tours of the cement plant, half of which were for student groups.

“Cement companies take very seriously their responsibilities to towns where their employees and customers live,” said Brian McCarthy, PCA president/CEO. “The awards program recognizes these ongoing efforts.”

The Cement Industry 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 contributed to making their communities better places to live and work.  Five categories are recognized:  Outreach, Environmental Performance, Land Stewardship, Innovation, and Energy Efficiency.  Additionally a special honor is presented to plants demonstrating excellence in multiple categories.

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 2009 awards represent independent groups such as Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Cement Sector Program, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program.

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. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.

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