The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, recently issued a Notice and Finding of Violation (NOV/FOV) under the Clean Air Act to Pyramid Paving and Contracting Company (Pyramid). EPA issued the NOV/FOV for Pyramid�s hot mix asphalt facility at 1503 Pine Avenue, Essexville, Michigan. Pyramid failed to conduct a performance test as required by for the General Provisions of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) at 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subpart A, and the NSPS for Hot Mix Asphalt Facilities at 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subpart I. Pyramid also violated the Michigan SIP and its Permit to Install No. 260-81B by operating more than 12 hours per day, not implementing and maintaining its continuous fugitive emissions control program, and failing to conduct a performance test to verify particulate and visible emission rates. These violations have caused or can cause excess emissions of particulate matter. Particulate matter, especially fine particulates contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets, which can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. All violations were discovered during an inspection of the facility on August 14, 2012 and upon review of an information request response submitted by Pyramid on November 27, 2012.