January 21, 2011
Today, the Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice released information debunking Rep. John Carter’s (R-TX) claim that important health protections will cost the cement industry too much.
In their report “Dirty Air is Not the Key to Economic Growth,” the groups counter Rep. Carter’s incorrect claims about these health protections, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued in 2010. If Rep. Carter’s plan to block these protections is successful, many communities across the U.S. will continue to suffer from mercury and other chemical pollution from cement plants.
“Rep. Carter’s clean air killing resolution would take the lid off emissions of mercury and other toxic pollution from cement kilns, but do nothing to create jobs in our country,” said Eric Schaeffer, director of the Environmental Integrity Project. “While the Congressman claims the sky will fall if cement manufacturers have to comply with the Clean Air Act, the Portland Cement Association’s own analysis predicts that production will increase more than 50 percent over the next five years, as housing and construction markets pick up speed.”
For the press release, click here.
For the report, click here.
