Thank-You, from the Citadel Family

For the past twenty minutes, I’ve sat at my keyboard looking for inspiration… Looking for that feeling, idea, thought, or topic that would inspire me to write something meaningful for our final 2011 newsletter.  I was really having a hard time connecting to what I was writing.  Would it start with the economy, the state of the industry, politics, or something esoteric and then flow into something really powerful or would I tell an anecdotal story woven with a great moral.
I just couldn’t find it until I looked at the obvious – what did I really want to say and do?  Ta dah! The whole time, I was just trying to find a way to say a sincere, “Thank You”  and recognize those important to us.  Not a half-hearted “thanks” or a barely audible “thank you” said in passing, but a genuine, looking-someone-in-the-eyes, annunciating clearly “Thank You.”  Regardless of our insecurities with the economy, the rancor of politics, or changes within the industry, the commonality is our appreciation for our clients, employee-owners, vendors, community, and the environment in which we thrive.
You all make it possible.  Every day and with every project, you give us opportunities to challenge ourselves, our technical skills, our values, and our sense of commitment.  You provide us opportunities to be successful and purposeful.  For all of those things we are truly thankful.  Have a wonderful holiday season and new year and  “Thank You,”

Loren and the entire Citadel family.      

EPA Fines California Portland Company (CPC)

California Portland Company (CPC) is the largest producer of sand, gravel and quarry rock in the Pacific Northwest. CPC owns and operates three Portland cement plants in the United States and is headquartered in Glendora, Calif.
The facility covered by the settlement is located in Kern County, Calif. The Facility includes a dry process Portland cement manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 1.44 million tons of cement clinker, along with a nearby quarry to mine raw products such as limestone and clay for use in cement production. 
Emissions from the Mojave plant are approximately 3,200 tons of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and 1,200 tons of sulfur dioxides (SO₂) per year.
The consent decree requires CPC to install and continuously operate BACT-level emissions controls to reduce emissions of NO_x and SO₂.

• NO Emission Limitations and Controls_x

The settlement requires the installation and continuous operation of a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) unit to control NO_x emissions.  While the plant is required to conduct testing in order to set a final NO_x limit after the CD is entered, CPC is required to meet a final 30-day rolling average emissions rate of no greater than 2.5 lb of NO_x per ton of clinker produced.

• (SO) Emission Limitations and Controls₂

The settlement will require the installation and continuous operation of a lime injection system (LIS).  While the plant is required to conduct testing in order to set a final (SO₂) limit after the Decree is entered, CPC is required to meet a 30-day rolling average emission rate of no greater than 1.7 lb (SO₂) per ton of clinker produced.

• NO emissions are expected to be reduced by more than 1,200 tons per year_x
• (SO₂) emissions are expected to be reduced by more than 360 tons per year

 NO_x and (SO₂) have adverse effects on human health and the environment as discussed below:

• Nitrogen Oxides-- NO can cause or contribute to a variety of health problems and adverse environmental impacts, such as ground-level ozone, acid rain, global warming, water quality deterioration, and visual impairment.  Affected populations include children, people with lung diseases such as asthma, and exposure to these conditions can cause damage to lung tissue for people who work or exercise outside._x
• Sulfur Dioxide -- High concentrations of (SO₂) can affect breathing and may aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease.  Sensitive populations include asthmatics, individuals with bronchitis or emphysema, children, and the elderly.  (SO₂) is also a primary contributor to acid deposition, or acid rain.

CPC will pay a total penalty of $1.4 million to the United States for violations resolved in the Decree.

Toy Donation To NorthEast Mental Health Center - Citadel In Service

As part of Citadel's commitment to give back to our community, employees each donated one Toy at our Annual Holiday party on December 18th, which were then gifted to the children at Northeast Mental Health Center in South Pasadena, Californa!  They were so very excited to receive the gifts, which will be given to the families in their center on Christmas day.