gas, as suggested by Carman, then it may not lead to the hazardous emissions compared to that of a normal coal burning cement plant. (citation here)The plant would use a coal-fired kiln to heat material to more than 2,700 degrees forming it into clinker, the little blackish rocks that are later ground up to make the final product. The ash from the coal would then be used to help make the product, that is why Rio Grande plans to use coal instead of natural gas, otherwise it would be more costly to the company to buy more materials to make their product. (citation here). Here we see a prime example of the company looking out for its own interests rather than the city it will affect.Environmental manager for Rio Grande, Brian McGill, defended the company and claimed that the plant would meet state and federal air quality standards and would be subject to continual monitoring. According to McGill, Rio Grande is not in business to poison people or pollute the environment. Pollutants also listed in the permit include 27,200 pounds (per year) of hydrogen chloride; 15,200 pounds of benzene; 13,300 pounds of sulfur trioxide; 9,500 pounds of ammonia; and lesser amounts of manganese compounds, methylene chloride, chlormethane, and chromium. (citation here)Information taken from the Downwinders At Risk web site seems to have a different opinion about cement plants and the incinerators that are located within the plants. A cement plant located in Midlothian, Texas was found to be the states largest source of air pollution in the northern area. The plants emissions were measured to be 24,096,200 pounds of five major contaminants in 1995. The plant was also the regions second largest particulate matter polluter with a total of 826.8 tons. (http://www.cementkiln.com/downwinders/factsheet.html). Many of Pueblos City Council Members are encouraging the company to build its operation in the county against the concerns by the majority of the publ...
