Environmental group threatens suit against Cemex
Rocky Mountain News
Published February 27, 2007 at midnight
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action filed notice in federal court yesterday to sue Cemex Inc., alleging violations of the Clean Air Act at the cement plant near Lyons, the Boulder Daily Camera reported this morning.
Allowed by federal law to seek civil penalties against polluters, the Action group claims Cemex’s liabilities could exceed $500 million based on a limit of $32,500 for each day’s violation over the past five years.
According to the group, the Lyons plant has increased emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide over the years. The nitrogen oxide emissions, they say, increased from 277 tons in 1979 to 2,162 tons last year which contributes to smog, acid rain and climate change.
Cemex spokeswoman Susana Duarte told the newspaper the threat of
legal action was a "shocking surprise" because the company just went
through a rigorous scrutiny working with the state, and spent millions
of dollars on equipment such as filters to reduce pollution.
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
