In July 2003, EPA and Lafarge initiated global settlement discussions in order to address possible violations of PSD/NNSR and Title V at the company?s cement plants. The Consent Decree requires Lafarge to, among other things:
Control sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at its cement plants, through both process changes and control equipment; Control NOx emissions at the Joppa, Illinois facility with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). This will be the first such application of SCR on a cement kiln in the United States; Control SO2 emissions at the two largest Lafarge facilities (Alpena, Michigan and Ravena, New York) by installing wet scrubbers; In some cases, utilize a test-and-set method to more accurately determine current emissions and appropriate reductions; and, Install continuous emission monitoring systems for SO2 and NOx at most plants. The Decree requires Lafarge to pay a civil penalty of $5,075,000, with two-thirds ($3,383,000) to be paid to the United States and the remaining one-third ($1,692,000) to be divided among the state/local agency signators. In addition, Lafarge is subject to stipulated penalties for violations of the Decree. The Consent Decree also resolves Lafarge?s liability for past violations of PSD, NNSR and Title V alleged in the complaint. Once Lafarge has satisfied all of its obligations under the Decree and maintained satisfactory compliance for three years at all facilities, it may request termination. The Decree al