By The Star Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Wednesday that Argos Puerto Rico Corp., owner and operator of a Portland cement manufacturing plant in Dorado, reached an agreement to settle Clean Air Act violations, pay a $111,000 penalty and spend more than $200,000 on supplemental environmental projects (SEPs) to install solar energy at a nearby school and childcare facility.
At press time, the firm had yet to comment.
Under the settlement, Argos will install two solar rooftop systems and two battery backup systems at the Casa de Niños Manuel Fernández Juncos in San Juan and Elisa Dávila Vázquez Elementary School in Vega Alta. The SEP projects are voluntary and provide environmental benefits to the community.
“This settlement goes beyond ensuring that this facility complies with air pollution control regulations by providing additional significant benefits to school children and the community through the installation of solar power systems,” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said. “These projects are particularly welcomed in Puerto Rico, where the energy grid is not reliable. Solar power with battery storage and microgrids provide backup during grid disruptions, ensuring continuous learning and serving as emergency shelters during disasters.”
The EPA investigated Argos’ facility through inspections, information requests and record reviews. The investigation found that Argos violated several parts of the Clean Air Act Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards for cement manufacturers. Specifically, Argos did not meet the standards for dioxins and furans emissions for 130 days, total hydrocarbon testing for one day, and mercury emissions monitoring for 19 days. Additionally, Argos failed to comply with reporting requirements 12 times.
MACT standards are rules set by the EPA to limit the release of hazardous air pollutants from industrial sources. The standards are meant to ensure that all facilities use the highest level of pollution control. Violating MACT standards means that a facility has not met these strict pollution control requirements. Such violations can involve failing to limit emissions of harmful substances like dioxins, furans, hydrocarbons or mercury, or not following proper testing and reporting procedures. The violations can lead to increased pollution, which can harm the environment and public health.
Portland cement, a key ingredient in concrete, is crucial for infrastructure and building construction worldwide. Its production is a major source of industrial emissions.
SEPs, while not required by law, are environmentally beneficial projects or activities that a respondent agrees to undertake as part of the settlement of an enforcement action, resulting in significant benefits to the community. The projects in the Argos settlement not only support the immediate needs of the community but also foster long-term environmental stewardship and educational opportunities for the children served by the aforementioned institutions.
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