Hello Folks,
 

Here´s Your Chance to Tell EPA You Want Cleaner Cement Plants and Cleaner Air

Because of its large concentration of cement kilns, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced that DFW will host one of only three national public hearings on new rules limiting cement industry pollution, including the first ever limits for Mercury emissions.,

On June 17th, the Environmental Protection Agency will take public testimony at the DFW Airport Hyatt Regency from 10 am to 8 pm on new federal rules that would significantly decrease some of the most dangerous kinds of air pollution cement plants release, including Mercury, Particulate Matter, or soot, Hydrochloric Acid, and chemicals contributing to smog called Total Hydrocarbons.

See the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter Action Alert below and go to the Downwinders at Risk website for more info.

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Best regards
Bob Fusinato
[Send questions, comments, or suggestions to BobFusinato@tx.rr.com]

~~~~~~~~~~ SIERRA CLUB LONE STAR CHAPTER ACTION ALERT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding one of only three national public hearings at the DFW Airport Grand Hyatt Hotel (inside Terminal D) on Wednesday, June 17, from 10 AM to 8 PM, to take testimony on proposed EPA rules that would make major reductions in emissions of air pollution from cement kilns.  Several of these kilns are located in North Texas and contribute to dirty air in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Among the air emissions that would be reduced are particulate matter (soot), hydrochloric acid, and the chemicals that cause smog to form.

The proposed rules would also put the first ever limits on cement kiln emissions of mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin that is particularly harmful to children.  Mercury interferes with the brain and nervous system and can affect blood pressure, fertility, and memory.

The cement industry is making a determined effort to kill these new rules.  EPA needs a strong demonstration of public support to move forward with adoption of these proposals.  The deadline for comments on the proposed rules has been extended to September 4, and Sierra Club will provide information later about how you may file written comments.

Right now, however, we are urging North Texans to turn out in force for the EPA hearing on Wednesday, June 17 to lend your voice to those of your neighbors who will be making brief comments in support of the rules.  You don't have to prepare remarks.  Just tell EPA why you want clean air for your community and urge them to adopt the proposed rules to curb air pollution from cement plants.  If you want more detail and talking points, here is the background. http://www.texas.sierraclub.org/press/newsreleases/20090615a.asp

If you attend the hearing, you can park for free in the Grand Hyatt parking garage directly in front of Terminal D (EPA will hand out Grand Hyatt parking passes).  The EPA hearing is in "Americas Ballroom" A, B, and C, directly across the hall from the elevators on the Lower Level (LL) of the Terminal.

For those who come in the morning, there will be a citizen's press conference at 9:30 AM in the conference room directly across the hall form the EPA hearing.

Please take this advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate your support for cleaning the air in North Texas!  Spread the word to your neighbors and friends.

Thank you,

Neil Carman
Clean Air Program Director
Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club

P.S. Please consider signing up to the Lone Star Chapter, Sierra Club Action Alert list in order to receive the latest news, event invitations and Action Alerts from the Lone Star Chapter - straight to your inbox!  Click here to sign up now!