USA – Essroc downsizes but keeps environmental promise

Essroc is reconsidering the scale of its Plant 1 upgrade, scheduled for completion in 2005. While company officials have released few details about the revised plans, they have confirmed they will keep their promise to improve the plant’s dust control.

In a written statement, Essroc’s president and COO George Gregory, said: “Essroc will absolutely stand by all environmental commitments previously provided to regulators and the community.”

After the Department of Environmental Protection received several complaints about dust violations at the company’s older plants, it concluded an agreement with Essroc in 2002 by which the cement maker is required to install a baghouse in the Plant 1 production line and shut down all four older kilns at Plant 3 by 1 December 2005.  In addition construction on a 1.7 mile conveyor belt connecting its three works began in 2003 and should be commissioned by the end of this year. The plan further included the raising of the kiln stack to nearly 500ft and the preheater tower to 435ft.