Texas-based cement operator Ash Grove has offered to voluntarily reduce its pollution output if the cities of Fort Worth and Dallas refrain from toughening regulations, and if the city of Arlington refrains from approving a new pollution-restriction measure.
All three cities are limiting or entirely ruling out buying cement from Ash Grove unless the company’s pollution output is dramatically reduced. The city of Arlington is indicating its intention, at least for now, of going ahead with its new law.
"They've had years and years and years to bring their emissions down, and they just haven't done it yet in a spectacular way," said Mayor Robert Cluck. "So whenever they do, we'll buy cement from them."
Ash Grove is proposing that it voluntarily slash one ton of nitrogen oxides per day from its Midlothian plant, beginning in the summer. It will also work to persuade the Environmental Protection Agency to credit that reduction as part of local commitments to cut ozone, which would mean that fewer emissions reductions would be required from other sources. Ash Grove has also proposed supporting a regionwide educational program aimed at reducing ozone-forming pollution from cars and trucks.