EDITORIAL: The Belching Gorilla
By The Dallas Morning News
Mar. 30–Texas’ coal plant controversy spurred a Code Red alert about air quality.
Suddenly, local and state leaders were scrambling to craft anti-pollution measures, filing bills that call for everything from cleaner power plants to energy-saving light bulbs.
But in the rush to clear the air, the pollution-belching giant in the corner of the room somehow got off easy. Ellis County’s cement plants, North Texas’ biggest industrial polluters, have been only a peripheral part of the discussion about making our air safe to breathe.
The state has allowed these cement kilns to operate with outdated technology that spews dangerous nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. These emissions lodge deep in our lungs and lead to health problems ranging from asthma to lung cancer.
As we consider how to bring Dallas-Fort Worth into compliance with federal air quality standards, significantly reducing emissions from the cement plants should be near the top of the to-do list. Adopting legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth, would be a good first step toward protecting public health.
The bill (SB 1177) calls for the state to test pollution-control technology at a single, yet-to-be named cement kiln. The technology, called selective catalytic reduction, is expected to slash nitrogen oxides emissions. And while there are no guarantees that an Ellis County kiln would be selected, a successful test could clear the way for tougher emissions standards for all cement plants.
The North Texas Clean Air Steering Committee has recommended similar measures. Although this legislation does not go as far as many clean-air advocates would like, its pilot program could create momentum for additional environmentally sensitive regulations.
The Senate’s Natural Resources Committee is expected to hold hearings next week on Mr. Brimer’s bill. In the past, the cement industry has forcefully fought any attempt to limit emissions — with great success. This legislation is likely to prompt the same response.
We are counting on the senator to be a visible advocate for air quality and to ensure that this important issue receives serious consideration.
The proposed coal plant building boom sparked a collaborative effort to limit pollution. But state leaders will be fighting a losing battle unless their clean-air efforts extend to cement kilns.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Dallas Morning News
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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