Dates
Contents
11/03/2004 Reservoir's water is
fine, but the fish are polluted
10/12/2007 Lehigh Cement Company to Modernize
Mitchell, Indiana Cement Plant.
09/28/2009 Overwhelming public
response could delay Cupertino cement plant's permit process
10/01/2009 Dept
of Environment Takes Action to Reduce Air and Mercury Pollution at
Lehigh Cement in Union Bridge
11/16/2009 Objection Period for Title V permit
renewal
11/17/2009 Original Commencers on
Title V permit renewal can petition an Objection
11/22/2009 What are the largest sources of global warming
emissions in California? The list is out
Note: If waving the cursor over a photo changes border color you can click on the photo to see another photo or blowup.
Lehigh (Hanson) Southwest Cement Plant Mercury Pollution
Title: What
are the largest sources of global warming emissions in California?
The list is out
By Paul Rogers
Publication: Mercury News
Posted: 11/22/2009 10:30:39 PM PST
Updated: 11/23/2009 12:12:57 PM PST
When it comes to global warming, California has started keeping
score.
The state Air Resources Board last week finished tallying and made public the list of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the state, and two East Bay refineries sit atop the list.
The first-of-its-kind rankings show that oil refineries, power plants and cement plants lead all industrial facilities statewide in pumping out carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning fossil fuels that has been building up in the Earth's atmosphere in increasing concentrations.
The largest California emitter last year was the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, which emitted 4.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. The Shell refinery in Martinez was View the full state map here second, with 4.5 million metric tons, followed by the BP and Chevron refineries in Carson and El Segundo, near Los Angeles. Rounding out fifth place was the Dynegy Power Plant at Moss Landing, a massive 1950s-era structure on the Monterey Bay that burns natural gas to create electricity for much of Northern California. The Valero Refinery in Benicia and the Tesoro Refinery in Martinez were seventh and eighth, respectively.
"This shows a commitment by California to move forward with real action to address climate change," said Stanley Young, a spokesman for the Air Resources Board. "We need accurate accounting to be sure we are getting the reductions that we are planning for."
All data were compiled and submitted by the facilities Advertisement themselves. The accounting is required under Assembly Bill 32, the landmark global warming law Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed in 2005.
Industrial sources and power plants make up 43 percent of California's greenhouse emissions, with transportation at 36 percent. A separate California law requires all new cars sold statewide to reduce greenhouse emissions 30 percent by 2016.
Environmentalists praised the reporting rules.
"What are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases? It's important to know," said Jim Metropulos, a spokesman for Sierra Club California. "We should focus on the largest sources first. Spotlighting, transparency and holding people accountable are important."
The Air Resources Board worked to create uniform software for each industrial facility to tally its emissions. Verification by a third party — essentially a pollution accountant trained by the state — is also required under state law. Any industrial facilities that emit more than 25,000 metric tons a year of carbon dioxide or related greenhouse gases are required to report. In California last year, 605 facilities passed that threshold.
Five coal-burning power plants in Utah and Wyoming that sell electricity in California also are included, and topped all California industrial sources, including the Chevron Richmond refinery.
Young said the emissions totals will be used as a baseline as California prepares to launch a "cap and trade" market in 2012. Under such a market, which is used in Europe, companies are given a limit of the amount of pollution they can put out, and if they produce less, they can sell credits to other companies to help them meet their required amount.
A bill passed by the House in June and pending in the U.S. Senate would require similar mandatory greenhouse emissions limits and a trading market for the entire United States.
Oil industry officials said their facilities top the list because they use large amounts of natural gas to heat crude oil and convert it to gasoline, diesel and jet fuel — products Californians demand.
"We use about 45 million gallons of gasoline a day in California,'' said Tupper Hull, a spokesman for the Western States Petroleum Association. "It's easy to criticize refineries, but everyone forgets they produce the cleanest-burning gasoline on Earth and it is central to the economic vitality of the state."
Hull said that the oil industry already is working to make its facilities more efficient and investigating research into storing carbon dioxide underground. The industry, he added, also will participate in California's carbon trading market.
"The low-hanging fruit is to increase your efficiencies," he said. "Any time you can get more use out of natural gas, that will result in reduced greenhouse gas."
Reach Paul Rogers at 408-920-5045
# 1) Chevron Refinery "” Richmond: 4,792,052
# 2) Shell Oil Refinery "” Martinez: 4,570,475
# 3) BP Refinery "” Carson: 4,504,286
# 4) Chevron Refinery "” El Segundo: 3,603,446
# 5) Dynegy Power Plant "” Moss Landing: 2,962,149
# 6) Exxon Refinery "” Torrance: 2,852,374
# 7) Valero Refinery "” Benicia: 2,796,057
# 8) Tesoro Refinery "” Martinez: 2,703,145
# 9) Southern Calif. Edison-Mountainview Power Plant "”
Redlands: 2,697,142
# 10) La Paloma Power Plant "” McKittrick: 2,544,398
Source: California Air Resources Board
Details To see the list of industrial facilities in California
and their 2008 greenhouse gas emissions, go to: www.arb.ca.gov/cc/reporting/ghg-rep/ghg-reports.htm.
For an interactive map showing the location of each facility, go to www.kqed.org/news/climatewatch.
Subject: Original Commencers
on Title V permit renewal can petition an Objection
By: Joyce M Eden
Organization: West Valley
Clean Air Watch (WVCAW)
Date: 11/17/2009
Update:- In looking at the document regarding petitioning the EPA, it is only those who turned in comments on the Title V Renewal Permit who can bring a petition of objection to the EPA based on their already filed comments,. So WVCAW will do so based on the comments we turned in on the Title V renewal during the official comment period.
Subject: Objection Period
for Title V permit renewal
By: Joyce M Eden
Organization: West Valley
Clean Air Watch (WVCAW)
Date: 11/16/2009
After a lot of researching, I just found out that the EPA already signed off on the Title V permit. While that is a terrible process, they are allowed to do so. There is a 60 day period in which to object. The EPA signed off on Sept 25 -- yep, BEFORE the end of the public comment period, BEFORE they got the info they requested from Lehigh, and BEFORE the public could review that info.
We can still object. I am putting together an objection letter from WVCAW based on what we already turned in, which is way more than enough on which to object. The objection can be done as a citizen objection and does not need to be done by lawyers or a law firm. But it does need to be done. You can sign onto our letter if you like, or you can write your own if you like. We can also ask for an extension of the 60 objection period, which I will do also, but do not count on it being extended, the chances are slim on that.
I also have the latest info from BAAQMD (Bay Area Air Quality Management District) that they will not finish their response to the Title V public comments until sometime in the first quarter of 2010.
The main thing is that they receive substantive comments for the objection, which I will do based our WVCAW comments on the Title V permit.
If you do not want to get involved in this process and stay focused on mercury, that is fine. I just wanted to inform you of this.
Title: Overwhelming
public response could delay Cupertino cement plant's permit process
By Matt Wilson
Publication: Cupertino Courier
Posted: 09/28/2009 02:15:06 PM PDT
Updated: 09/28/2009 02:18:55 PM PDT
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District could delay until
December a decision about whether Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant
should have its permit renewed.
The possible delay would be a response to an overwhelming community response to the renewal. At a meeting earlier this month, dozens of Cupertino residents stepped up to the microphone to vent their frustration with having the plant as a neighbor and asked that the plant not have its Title V permit renewed.
The district had planned to decide whether to renew the permit by the end of October, but might delay that until December so it has time to consider all public comments. The Title V Permit is a compilation of all existing air-quality requirements including emissions limits and standards, monitoring, record keeping, and reporting requirements and is required for the plant to continue operations at the site. Permit renewal is required every five years.
Complaints about the plant centered around dust, noise, odors, limestone dust on cars and fears about the potential long-term health issues for living close to the facility.
Some residents pleaded with air district staff to consider postponing the permit until new studies about the potentially harmful affects of some pollutants are more clearly studied. A few residents who live near the facility argued that they were better judges of facility compliance than state and country regulators.
"I was awakened twice this summer Advertisement by a noxious odor in the wee hours of the morning," said Ruth Zabor, who lives one mile from the facility. "I really think it has to be closed down."
A few residents, and some in the health profession, brought slideshow presentations of lime dust in their neighborhood and photographs of what they consider to be too much pollution coming from the facility.
"It's very encouraging to see a broader perspective of people at these meetings," said resident Lyn Faust, who lives about a half-mile from Lehigh. "I think it makes a very big impact. I hope the [air district] takes into account the size of the audience and puts the permit on hold until we get all the answers."
If a renewal is granted, it will be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency and issued sometime in the fall or before the new year, according to air district staff.
Lehigh has no ongoing violations or patterns of recurrent violations, district officials said.
The former Hanson Permanente Cement plant is in unincorporated Santa Clara County just beyond the western border of Cupertino. Mining on the site dates back to the 1880s and the cement plant has been operating since 1939.
Nearby Stevens Creek Elementary School frequently has its air monitored. As of Sept. 3, there were three samples taken which did not detect the pollutant hexavalent chromium. A very small amount was detected in the fourth through seventh samples. The district said these levels do not pose significant health risks. The EPA and the air district will continue monitoring in September.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the regional government agency that regulates stationary sources of air pollution in nine counties in the Bay Area. Approximately 100 facilities in the Bay Area require Title V permits.
For more information go to www.baaqmd.gov.
Title: Lehigh
Cement Company to Modernize Mitchell, Indiana Cement Plant.
[Why not Modernize the Cupertino Plant?]
Publication: Business Wire
Posted: Friday, October 12 2007
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Lehigh Cement Company, a subsidiary of the
German building materials company, HeidelbergCement, today announced
plans to expand and upgrade its cement manufacturing plant in
Mitchell, Indiana. The modernized plant will use the latest
technology and equipment to significantly reduce energy usage, fuel
consumption and emissions per ton of cement produced. Lehigh Cement
Company will work closely and cooperatively with the responsible
government and permitting agencies to meet air quality standards and
other requirements. Lehigh Cement Company has served customers in
Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and the entire midwest with high
quality cement made at the Mitchell, Indiana location since 1902.
"This major investment in the Mitchell plant is an important part of HeidelbergCement's effort to bring quality building materials products to our customers in fifty countries worldwide," said Lehigh Cement President and CEO, Helmut Erhard. Executive Vice President, Albert Scheuer, who will succeed Mr. Erhard as North American CEO in January 2008, stressed the benefits of advanced technical design. "We have built new plants and expanded existing facilities from the United States to Turkey and from Canada to China. We have the technical ability and experience to manufacture cement in a manner which is environmentally sustainable, while maintaining the highest quality standards," said Dr. Scheuer.
Daniel Harrington, President of Lehigh Cement's North Division, emphasized the need for close cooperation between Lehigh Cement and local and state officials, customers, employees and the community. "We have played a key role in the community for generations," stated Mr. Harrington. "We look forward to open dialogue with the state of Indiana and the city of Mitchell as we move through the permitting process." "Southern Indiana continues to be a leader in manufacturing," said Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. "This project in my home county proves we can bring about economic growth in Indiana while continuing to be good stewards of our environment." City of Mitchell Mayor Butch Chastain said, "Lehigh Cement has been a major employer in our city and has always been a good neighbor. We are confident that the plant expansion will be a big boost for our town."
Cement is the key ingredient for the production of concrete, the most widely used construction material in the world. Lehigh Cement Company remains committed to supplying cement for the continued growth of the Midwest U.S. market.
Lehigh Cement Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of HeidelbergCement, one of the largest cement and construction materials manufacturers in the world. HeidelbergCement is a founding member of the Cement Sustainability Initiative under the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. All HeidelbergCement business units, including Lehigh Cement Company, are built on the three pillars of sustainable development: economy, ecology and social responsibility. Lehigh creates added value for its customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders. The company preserves natural resources - the basis of its economic activity, and recognize its social responsibility towards its neighbors and employees.
Lehigh Cement Company, along with its associated companies, is a major North American manufacturer of cement, concrete and construction materials. Lehigh has served the construction industry in North America for 110 years as a producer of high quality portland and specialty cements for use in concrete products. Lehigh operates 13 cement plants and employs about 6135 people in North America. Lehigh's parent, HeidelbergCement, recently acquired Hanson, plc, a major global supplier of aggregates, ready mixed concrete and construction products. With half of Hanson's assets located in the United States and Canada, Lehigh and Hanson provide customers a wide range of products. Lehigh and its related companies produce and supply gray and white portland cements, masonry cements, custom color portland and masonry cements, aggregates, lightweight aggregates, ready mixed concrete, concrete pipe, cement block, pre-cast and pre-stressed cement products, fly ash and other pozzolanic materials. Lehigh's products are widely used by ready mixed concrete suppliers and for numerous highway, architectural, industrial and marine applications. Visit Lehigh Cement Company's website at www.lehighcement.com.
Title:
Reservoir's water is fine, but the fish are polluted
By Hugh Biggar
Publication: Cupertino Courier
Posted: November 3, 2004
A recent scientific study revealed that there is something fishy in
the waters of Cupertino's Stevens Creek Reservoir. A three-year
study by the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Board determined the
reservoir had the highest level of mercury in its fish out of the 10
local reservoirs surveyed.
Will Bruhns, spokesman for the Water Quality Control Board, said Stevens Creek fish also had among the highest levels of other contaminants found in fish.
Carp and channel creek catfish in Stevens Creek for example, were found to have high levels of PCBs—an industrial pollutant banned in 1977. Largemouth bass in Stevens Creek had levels of mercury five times the state's health standard.
Silicon Valley Water Control District spokesman Mike Di Marco said the pollutants come from a range of sources and had accumulated in the fish through decades of exposure.
Mercury is found naturally in the soil in the Stevens Creek watershed, which feeds the reservoir. It also can be found in air pollution drifting in from distant power plants—some from as far away as coal-burning plants in China—and in the wastes of old mines. [Lehigh (Hanson) Southwest Cement Plane just 1.5 miles away and in operation since 1939, the most obvious source of mercury, is not mentioned in this article - best kept secret for decades]
"There is evidence of mining 100 years ago in the Stevens Creek area," said Di Marco. Such mining—similar to that done in the Almaden mines to the south—occurred because of the mercury found naturally in the area's geological landscape.
The other pollutants are the residue of old industrial and farming practices. PCBs, for example, were commonly used in pesticides from the 1920s to the 1970s. These toxins were then washed into the reservoir by rainwater and then entered the food chain, including the reservoir's fish.
At the top of that food chain are the people who now catch and eat the fish.
The question now becomes what to do about it. According to Bruhns, health risks occur through continuous, longterm exposure from eating such polluted fish.
For now, public health and environmental officials have issued a health advisory urging residents to be careful about what they eat. Women of childbearing age and children under the age of 18 are advised to not eat the fish from the reservoir or to sharply reduce their intake.
Bruhns said the health advisories are part of an ongoing investigation by the Water Quality Control Board in partnership with Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Since the pollutants come from disparate sources, he said there was not one place to point the blame. As a result, a "quick fix" cleanup is not possible. [Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant?]
However, some pollutants such as the PCBs will disappear over time, since they are no longer used.
In the meantime, the reservoir water is tested regularly and is still safe to drink. And lest residents forget, warning signs will be posted in English, Spanish and Vietnamese by the start of the fishing season in early 2005, reminding reservoir visitors to be careful about what they fish for—and what they catch.
For information about the health risks at Stevens Creek, and for information about the type and amount of fish to eat, visit http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/bayareares.html.