We recently released this statement from CCC's General Manager, Bob Odom: 

The Southern Environmental Law Center’s (SELC) listing of the Cape Fear River basin as one of its most endangered places in the Southeast because of the proposed Carolinas Cement Company plant in Castle Hayne, NC is erroneous and not based on facts.

Here are the facts:

• Per state regulations, Carolinas Cement will mitigate all disturbed wetlands at a greater ratio than the amount of wetlands impacted, so the net gain is more and better wetlands than currently exist at the site. It is anticipated that such mitigation will provide for a larger, more integrated, higher functioning wetland habitat than
  
  currently in place.
  
• Well over 60% of the wetlands impacted by the proposed plant are “Managed Pine Plantation,” which, while technically “wetlands,” have much lower functionality than typical wetlands. These “wetlands” have been disturbed by planting and harvesting of pine trees many times over the past several decades.
  
• Early in this project, Titan America announced it would preserve and protect approximately 300 acres of the site’s highest quality wetlands along the Northeast Cape Fear River and Little Island Creek. These wetlands will remain undisturbed.
  
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will prepare a Federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate alternatives to avoid and minimize wetland impacts. The Corps of Engineers will also approve the mitigation plan to ensure that any unavoidable wetlands impacts are adequately mitigated.
  
• The Corps’ EIS has not been completed, so the SELC is making biased assumptions about Carolinas Cement Company’s wetlands impact that are not based on true science.

The proposed Carolinas Cement Company plant will be the cleanest, most technologically advanced cement plant in the world. Carolinas Cement Company looks forward to working with conservation groups and the state of North Carolina to develop a mitigation approach that meets overall mitigation strategies and conservation goals in this area. Titan America and Carolinas Cement Company will consistently work to ensure the safety of public health, the environment and the Cape Fear River basin.

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Wanted to post this story about one more example of the many good things Titan America and our employee do in our communities.  The students at Glenvar Elementary received a good lesson in conservation, energy and economics, thanks to Roanoke Cement employees Stephen Knox and Raymond Slaughter.

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Very proud of our Titan America employees for their hard work and dedicating that resulted in multiple recent awards.  Here's the meat of our recent media release:

NRMCA honors Titan America multiple times for excellence in quality and outstanding environmental practices

Titan America was well represented last week when several of its ready-mixed concrete facilities were recipients of 2012 National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) Awards.  Also honored was Hardy Johnson, Titan America’s Chief Governmental Affairs Officer, who was presented with the Grassroots Activist of the Year Award.   

  2012 NRMCA Excellence in Quality Awards were presented to:

• Tarmac America LLC, North Central Region, Port Orange, FL
  
• Tarmac America LLC, Southern Region, Daytona Beach, FL
  
• Tarmac America LLC, West Coast Region, Venice, FL
  
• Titan Virginia Ready-Mix LLC, Northern Region, Sterling, VA
  
• Powhatan Ready Mix, Richmond, VA
  
• Titan Virginia Ready-Mix LLC, Southern Virginia Division, Norfolk, VA

Details of the Excellence in Quality Awards were summarized in a recent article published by NRMCA:

“The criteria for this award are established by NRMCA’s Research Engineering and Standards Committee to recognize the commitment to quality of NRMCA member companies…Winning producers have demonstrated that they follow and exceed quality management principles over a broad range of activities from commitment to quality, materials management, managing production facilities, product quality control and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.”

Titan Virginia Ready-Mix LLC, Clear Brook Plant and S&W Ready-Mix LLC, Castle Hayne, N.C. won first- and second-place, respectively, 2012 Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards. 

The NRMCA’s Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards recognizes “Outstanding contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sound management practice in their operations…the program salutes companies that have not only met, but surpassed governmental compliance measures and demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through plant and staff investment.”

Representatives from the winning plants were feted during the awards luncheon at NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks in National Harbor, MD, on Monday, September 17.

 

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Congratulations to Titan on these awards. People are quick to criticise but we know you do alot of good things. Keep up the good work.>
Anonymous



Just wondering. How many of these micky mouse awards will it take to offset the violations and emissions from these places.>
Anonymous



Not sure how to address your question, Anonymous. As per the aforementioned quote: The NRMCA’s Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards recognizes “Outstanding contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sound management practice in their operations…the program salutes companies that have not only met, but surpassed governmental compliance measures and demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through plant and staff investment.” Excellence in quality and environmental stewardship is laudable for any industry and I would have imagined your supporting, rather than criticising such accolades. Perhaps you're just having a grouchy day. >
Kate McClain

First and foremost, we're committed to this project. Titan America will continue our work to locate the Carolinas Cement plant in Castle Hayne and we will bring much-needed, good jobs to New Hanover County. We'll do it carefully, with facts and science and we'll follow the rules and myriad local, state and federal regulations, just like we've done all along.

Meanwhile, opposition groups such as Stop Titan Action Network continue to oppose our plan by airing inflammatory and inaccurate television ads, articles and videos. These are typically based on emotion, not fact.  Goodness sake, they’ve even taken their crusade into the region’s public schools.  

 

In an August 29 newsletter article promoting an anti-Titan essay contest for high school seniors, the Stop Titan Action Network made the following claims: 

The particulate matter coming from Titan’s smoke stack will be equivalent to burning 24.8 billion cigarettes a year.

FACT:   Carolinas Cement plant will be the cleanest cement plant in the world. No other cement plant has the combination of advanced pollution controls that Carolinas Cement plant will have. Particulate Matter (PM) emissions (including the microscopic PM2.5), will comply with the most stringent PM limitations for a cement plant in the world. Carolinas Cement emissions will not cause air quality to exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM or PM2.5.  NAAQS are set by the EPA to protect human health, including sensitive subgroups, such as the elderly, children and asthmatics.  

 

Titan will be the third largest mercury emitter in New Hanover County—giving New Hanover County, the second highest mercury emissions in North Carolina.

 

FACT:   Mercury emissions will meet the Federal limits for Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT).  Only a very small portion (~5%) of the Carolinas Cement mercury emissions are predicted to be deposited in the Northeast Cape Fear River Basin. Recent studies by North Carolina show that 84% of the mercury deposited in NC is from outside of the state, with 70% being from outside of the country. China, India and other developing countries continue to increase their use of coal and require no controls on their mercury emissions, whereas Carolinas Cement will employ MACT and reduce mercury emissions 82% from what was previously allowed in the regulations.   

 

Burning scrap tires in cement kilns releases benzene and heavy metals and may also increase productions of dioxins. Titan Cement has stated they may burn tires at their Castle Hayne facility.

FACT:   Carolinas Cement’s air permit from the NC Division of Air Quality does not allow for the use of tires as a fuel source. Any change to CCC’s fuel source would require an air permit amendment, which would allow for ample public comment.

 

EPA and Portland Cement Association studies have shown that the use of tires as a fuel compared to coal either reduces or does not significantly affect emissions from cement kilns.  Actually, NOx emissions are lower when tires are used, and some states mandate the use of tires as fuel to reduce NOx emissions. The type of fuel used in cement manufacturing has very little impact on emissions because of the strict pollution controls and the fact that most of the fuel residues remain bound in the cement product.    

  

In closing, let me suggest this.  I strongly believe that making informed decisions about important matters requires facts, evidence and empirical data. Not hearsay. Not possibility of. Not probably/maybe. We love our friends and neighbors but their opinions are their opinions.  Regarding this project, politics and every other important matter in your life, seek clarification from the experts.      

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Originally posted On: August 17, 2012

 "A lot of people say, 'Oh, we shouldn't use concrete. We should be using something else.' This is a totally meaningless comment, because it is just not physically possible to produce any other material in such large quantities. That's because of the distribution of resources on Earth. This to me is a really key point."

That's Karen Scrivener, a professor at the Swiss Ecole Polytechnique Federale and founder of Nanocem. Her comments are excerpted from an interview in the current issue of the America Ceramic Society Bulletin titled, "Straight talk with Karen Scrivener on Cements, CO2, and sustainable development."

She delivers a refreshing perspective on the environmental impact of cement, especially carbon dioxide emissions, and makes a compelling argument that it is "the only material that can satisfy the demand for decent low cost housing and infrastructure. Also, concrete is relatively environmentally as measured by CO2 emissions per ton, which is lower than wood."

She also makes the case that there is really no viable alternative to concrete.

"It's wrong to think there is or could be some competition with wood. The usage of wood worldwide is estimated to be well above replanting levels, so we cannot substantially increase the amount of wood used. Also, while it may be a viable material in temperate climes, in large parts of Africa, India, and Asia, there are no significant reserves. There is no way for the Earth to produce enough wood to make any significant replacement of concrete."

Alternatives to cement, she goes on to point out, may not make sense because they are not linked to locally available resources and in many cases not available in large enough quantities to make a dent in cement replacement.

"Only eight elements--oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium--make up 98 percent of the Earth's crust. Thus, we can forget about making cement out of the other 2 percent. We are forced to look at these eight elements."

Can we do a better job of making cement to lower its impact? Of course. And she goes on to describe her work on understanding the microstructure of concrete and how new lower carbon materials could acheive traditional performance.

The complete article is in the June/July issue of the American Ceramic Society Bulletin.

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Here's our official statement regarding the EPA’s proposal to relax regulations on cement kilns:

Titan America supports the manufacture of cement through environmentally and socially responsible business practices. We are continually working to identify innovative ways to improve our plant operations, minimize emissions, promote a safe workplace, improve energy efficiency and conserve natural resources. We commend the EPA for its rigorous review of cement kiln regulations and will meet all such regulations in the proposed Carolinas Cement Company plant in Castle Hayne. Carolinas Cement will have the most advanced combination of pollution controls of any cement plant in the world. We continue to move forward with our permitting process and look forward to bringing much-needed, good jobs to New Hanover County.

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Environmental characters

Yes, folks, the dangerous, racially motivated General Assembly is at it again. Latest news from the Stop Titan Action Network reports that our state representatives want to “roll back on air quality protections” and “harm…people of color.” House bill (H952) described thus by the N. C. Environmental Justice Network is cited below:

Short Title: State Air Toxics Program Reforms.

(Public) Sponsors: Referred to: May 17, 2012

*H952-v-2* (SB 858)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT TO EXEMPT FROM STATE AIR TOXICS EMISSIONS CONTROLS THOSE SOURCES OF EMISSIONS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FEDERAL EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS, TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REQUIRE PERMIT CONDITIONS THAT ELIMINATE UNACCEPTABLE RISKS TO HUMAN HEALTH, TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF AIR QUALITY TO REVIEW THE STATE AIR TOXICS PROGRAM, AND TO REQUIRE REPORTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMISSION.

Environmental Justice Network activists tell us that industrial “toxic polluters” target “the most vulnerable” and cause “disproportionate harm” to certain groups of people. How can this bill be construed as what the NCEJN claims? Rational people don’t think this way.

Reading the proposed law title tells me that state rules on sources of emissions subject to federal regulations are redundant, thus it’s not necessary to impose additional bureaucratic restrictions on industries. It also directs the state agency responsible to “require permit conditions that eliminate unacceptable risks to human health” (clearly not restricted only to white folks). Further, it directs the Division of Air Quality to review the State Air Toxics Program and requires reports on implementing the act.

Environmental activists have become a parody for Alice in Wonderland characters. They gather words to have us believe something other than what we can actually know, observe or read. The almost childish antics of environmental and “justice” groups continue to get “curiouser and curiouser,” as Alice observed in her Adventures UnderGround (Lewis Carroll, 1865). When she turned for help or enlightenment from the strange characters around her she got caught up in “logic-chopping,” parody or pun (from the Cambridge Guide to Literature in English). Carroll’s Mad Hatter is an appropriate symbol for the strange characters now occupying the environmental movement

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Reprinted from a SquallLines posting on May 30

Combative and counter-productive environmentalists continue their attacks on the Carolinas Cement Company. Filing lawsuits based on foolishness with intent to stall production and add cost to the company is their short term game plan. In the longer run they hope to shut down our productive industries and lock up our natural resources in preserves. Company managers, engineers, technicians, construction workers and a host of other people must wait to begin work while environmental gamesters play their litigation cards.

The usual suspects have concocted another legal ploy to stall construction of the cement plant planned near Castle Hayne, N. C. Southern Environmental Law Center lawyer Geoff Gisler wants a judge to revoke the state issued air quality permit because the company “amended its quarry plan,” according to a Wilmington StarNews article by Kate Queram. Unfortunately, the press takes these people seriously and this article misrepresents the situation.

Ms. Queram writes: “The permit…came after three years of wrangling and contentious battles between the cement corporation and local residents and environmental groups….” Based on my observations over this time, company people didn’t wrangle or battle with anyone. But they have been ruthlessly and relentlessly attacked.

On occasion, they’ve attempted to defend their good name from slanderous assaults, but they have never been quarrelsome. Quite the opposite; company people came to this area offering goodwill and economic benefits. They were rebuffed by a small number of well-funded and organized environmental activists who immediately set up an antagonistic Stop Titan Network. Further, company officials have been unbelievably patient with the vicious assaults on their work—even their intentions have been impugned.

Activists (in groups such as the N. C. Coastal Federation and Cape Fear River Watch) tried to defame the company; spread unfounded malicious propaganda about assumed dangers to humans from plant operations; and hired the regional hostile SELC to bring lawsuits crafted to stall company operations. Ms. Queram provides some credibility and cover by writing that these people are “deeply concerned” about “potential impacts”—assuming all of them to be negative and failing to question the flimsy basis for concerns.

This latest frivolous attempt to stall the company plans didn’t warrant a comment from the state Air Quality Division spokesman (the SELC accused the agency people of dereliction of duty). Bob Odom, Carolinas Cement manager calmly reminded all the belligerent parties that his company must meet all state and federal regulations regardless of what plans they have.

Further, he has told us that the company must also endure a long, expensive federally mandated environmental review to be granted another permit required for the company to operate their facility. It’s clear to me who are the contentious ones.

(For more about recent unscrupulous activities committed by the Stop Titan Action Network against Titan Cement read blogs, “Connecting the dots” and “The rest of the story” by Kate McClain at the Carolinas Cement Company site.)

 

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On Sunday, April 29, supporters of Stop Titan, Pender Watch and Cape Fear River Watch will gather at its Picnic in the Park celebration to hear Alexandra Allred from Midlothian, TX and Selene Hummer from Chanute, KS speak about what it is like to live near cement plants.

What picnic attendees likely won’t hear is that the cement plants in Midlothian and Chanute are vastly different from the proposed Carolinas Cement (CCC) plant in Castle Hayne. Here is the rest of the story:

The plants in Midlothian and Chanute include some old wet kilns and some modern, but still dated, dry kilns with emissions rates that are greater than the limits in Carolinas Cement’s permit. These other plants have made substantial improvements in their emissions over the years -- in some cases replacing old wet kilns with modern plants -- but their pollution controls have not previously and will not in the future be required to meet the new standards that Carolinas Cement will have to meet as a new plant under the new regulations. 

Also, some of the issues faced in Texas and Kansas revolve around the use of hazardous wastes as a fuel, whereas the Carolinas Cement permit is only for traditional fuels. The groups in Texas and Kansas have been demanding modern cement plants with modern pollution controls, and that is what we are bringing to Castle Hayne.

It is important to remember, there is no cement plant in the world that has the combination of pollution controls that the CCC plant will have.

Here are the facts about Midlothian’s cement plants, each of which has emissions of SO2, NOx and PM greater than CCC will have :

 

1. Holcim has two modern “dry process” kilns built in 1987 and 2000, with total capacity greater than what CCC proposes.

2. TXI used hazardous waste as a fuel until 2010. Until 2001, it also used the old “wet kiln” process. TXI’s capacity is greater than that proposed by CCC.

3. Ash Grove uses the old “wet process” to manufacture cement, and is a little under half the capacity proposed by CCC.

 

Here are the facts about the Chanute area cement plants, each of which has emissions of SO2, NOx and (except for the much smaller Freedonia plant) PM greater than CCC will have:

1. Lafarge (Freedonia, KS) is an old wet plant that uses hazardous waste as a fuel, is less than one-fourth the capacity of CCC, and is now slated to close permanently.

2. Ash Grove (Chanute, KS) was modernized into a “dry process” kiln in 2001. It uses hazardous waste as a fuel and produces about 75% of the capacity CCC proposes. 

3. Monarch (Humbolt KS) has two modern dry process kilns built in the mid 1970s and produces about 50% of the capacity CCC proposes. 

I hope all picnickers allow themselves a healthy serving of the facts and pass on the misinformation and exaggerations.  Need additional facts or clarification?  Just ask.

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Titan America LLC released the following statement on April 4, 2012 regarding the defamation suit with which we were recently involved:

Today, we have successfully resolved the litigation that we commenced against Dr. David Hill and Kayne Darrell.  Prior to today’s mediation, we had not personally met and spoken with Dr. Hill and Ms. Darrell.  Having done so, we do not believe that either Dr. Hill or Ms. Darrell intentionally made any false statements about Titan or our plant in New Hanover County.  Titan maintains that its cement plant will be operated in accordance with the required rules and regulations as set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the State of North Carolina and that there will be no adverse health effects from the operation of the plant.  However, we recognize that reasonable minds have the right to disagree, and respect both Dr. Hill and Ms. Darrell’s right to do so.

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Well, I hope you paid their legal fees! I find it appalling that you sued these people for speaking out. >
Sheree Harrell



Ms. Harrell - Think about a time in your life when an individual or a group was spreading untruths about you, a family member, or another important person. Do you sincerely believe that it's okay to communicate exaggerated, insulting and flatly untrue statements? Why would you support a smear campaign? How long would you, personally, tolerate such treatment? >
Anonymous

Greetings.  

A number of people have asked about this over the past several months.  I'm pleased to share the following good news, taken directly from our media release which was distributed moments ago:

Norfolk, VA. - The antitrust cases against the concrete operations of major concrete producers in Florida, which included Titan America LLC's Florida subsidiary, Tarmac America LLC, have been dismissed. On January 3, 2012, Federal District Judge Cecilia Altonaga denied plaintiff’s demand for class certification against those concrete operations.

      “This outcome vindicates Titan America's long standing position that the allegations against Tarmac America were completely baseless,” stated Titan America’s General Counsel, Russell Fink. “It is particularly frustrating that, in this period of industry job losses and employee sacrifices, money and focus had to be shifted to litigating against these claims.”

     Judge Altonaga had previously rejected plaintiffs’ allegation of a conspiracy among Florida's cement producers. Following the January 3 ruling, the parties agreed to end the case.

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The following is an investigative report that examines our Roanoke Cement Plant in Troutville, VA.  It is reposted from WECT website, originally posted  Jan 31, 2012 4:43 PM EST   

    

The Roanoke Cement plant in Virginia.BOTETOURT COUNTY, VA (WECT) – It's no secret that Titan America has received quite a bit of backlash in New Hanover County. As soon as plans were drawn for the company to build a facility in Castle Hayne, the proposal took a lot of fire from both environmental leaders and residents, who have cited reasons from pollution and destroying natural habitats to contaminating drinking water as to why the company isn't welcome.

Just five hours from Wilmington, Titan owns and operates Roanoke Cement, a facility in Troutville, Virginia.

WECT decided to send reporter Ashlea Kosikowski to investigate Troutville, the community where Roanoke Cement calls home, to find out just what neighbors and community leaders there really think about the plant.

Jerry Henderson is a fifth generation dairy farmer. Tucked under the side of a mountain, he and his family own a farm where they milk cows and raise calves into future milk makers. From there, the milk winds up on grocery store shelves across the east coast.

Henderson says he ships about 2,000 gallons out each day, and adds that it's crucial his cows remain healthy. 

"Every load of milk that leaves here is tested," said Henderson. "It's run through numerous tests and it's never had anything wrong with it."

That may surprise some, especially considering that Henderson and his family live less than a mile from Roanoke Cement, and he says the air and water that surround them are very clean.

"I never noticed anything," said Henderson. "I never even knew [Roanoke Cement] was there for the longest time, until one day, we did see the smoke coming out of the stack. I wasn't even sure what it was. But never any problems."

At a nearby park, Christie Burke, a mother of three, was playing with her children.

Kosikowski asked her, "Do you feel like the air is good in this town?"

"My goodness, yes," Burke said. "I've never seen or smelt anything at all.  Even living close to the cement plant as we did – never. Or even down here at the park. I've never noticed anything."

Kim Painter, another neighbor at the park, also hasn't noticed any downsides from the plant.

"I think we live in a good county," said Painter. "It's clean. It's safe. It's a good spot to be."

A picturesque stream in the area attracts many tourists, and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail wind through the scenic mountains. Tourism in Troutville is the second biggest tax resource and job generator in the county.

"Titan is, first and foremost, our number one taxpayer in the county," said Jerry Burgess, county administrator. "I really don't think of them [negatively] – I think of them as an environmental partner."

Burgess adds that that Roanoke Cement has worked with the county in efforts to clean up creeks in the community. "They have a huge commitment to environmental protection."

Burgess' sentiment was echoed among other county officials.

"Our experience with Titan America has been nothing but positive," said Stephen Clinton, who serves on the board of supervisors for the county. "For as big of a plant as it is and as big of an employer as it is, it's very innocuous, just in the background. It's not hugely visible in any respect to everyday life in Botetourt County."

Clinton is taken aback when Kosikowski tells him that plans for Titan in New Hanover County have been met with such resistance from the community.

"It does surprise me," he said. "I mean, I understand it. It's the unknown. Folks in Wilmington don't have the same knowledge that we do or the same experience with Titan America."

Back at the Henderson's farm, Jerry's wife, Donna shares some advice she has for the Castle Hayne area.

"For [residents there] to welcome them, welcome them for the product that they're going to produce," said Donna. "They are environmentally knowledgeable. They will not hurt their environment. And they're going to provide jobs and I'm sure that area needs jobs as much as anybody."

Kosikowski made dozens of phone calls, but couldn't find a single environmental group that would say anything negative about the plant. Many wouldn't go on camera, but said that Roanoake Cement has a good record within the community.

When asked about the plant's environmental impact, Bill Bainter, President of Roanoke Valley Trout Unlimited, told Kosikowski, "I have toured the plant several times and have interacted with their management. I find them to be a responsible company relative to their environmental efforts. I really see no reason for an interview." 

Wednesday night on WECT News at 6 p.m., Kosikowski will take viewers on an eye-opening tour of the facility.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

 

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While the folks up in virginia might not know of any negative effects to their community it is up to citizens to ask the hard questions. WECT TV wanted to make a fair comparison betweeen the proposed Titan plans for New Hanover County but could not afford to send reporters to Florida where Titan operates a similar plant to the proposed project here. While WECT TV could not afford to send the reporters to Miami they could afford to send a reporter to Texas to cover a local women's quest for the Olympic team. Now that is news. No hard questions were asked about how the cement plant in Va. compared with the one proposed here. Nothing about the amoount of air pollutants emitted from the plant, no discussion about the difference between the Roanoke plant and the one proposed here in our coastal region. The WECT TV station mananger has been a supporter of the Titan project so what would you expect from that report. >
Anonymous



This is a report on a company's plant that applied for all of the permits required by state and national guidelines to be an operational cement plant. These are strict guidelines for environmental, safety details. The way that every plant (regardless of business or product they manufacutre) makes money is to comply with and/or be under environmental levels for all of the permitted level of chemicals or elements in your process. A very important detail for good business is to have a detailed safety plan that is the way of life and day to day operation, inside and outside the plant. If you take a look at the Troutville plant, you will see that each individual takes safety and living to the letter of all permits very seriously. Anyone who does not see this type of operation as a good corporate neighbor, has never worked in a manufacturing facility or understand environmental rules and regulations. The idea that Carolina Cement would go through the process of applying for the required environmental permits, business licenses and ohter details to start a plant and then not satisfy the permitted levels and have a poor community safety record is out of touch with reality. Long term effects of a current permitted cement plant/quarry on the environment - take a look at the article in the Star News about the Vulcan Cement Quarry in Winston-Salem that was posted in the past 2 weeks. If you are serious about cleaning up the environment - pursue the reasons why residents in the tri-county area are not required to separate recyleables from garbage. Ask how the current separated items are used and why more items are not re-cycled. This is a detail that needs more regulations. Take a look at the program in place in Panited Post, NY, see how this is a mid-range re-cycle program and is working to be better.>
Milt Packard



Dear anonymous, You and I are in agreement about something – it is an important responsibility of the citizens to ask questions of any business, new or existing, that is operating within their community. I expect this is one of the reasons our neighbors in Troutville and Roanoke respect our operations. We are open and honest with them, frequently engaging in conversation about how we can be better neighbors and what we can do to assist with community improvements. I am not able to respond to your comment about WECT. Obviously I don’t know how they make assignments or dispatch their personnel. I do know that we’ve invited news organizations as well as all citizens of greater New Hanover County and anyone else, for that matter, to visit our plants in Roanoke and in Medley. In fact, we offered free bus tours to Roanoke to all interested parties when we first started the project. We hosted plant tours and many of our visitors also took the opportunity to visit with the plant’s neighbors and talk with community leaders. The results are always positive. You may be aware that the Wilmington StarNews undertook a comprehensive investigation of our Pennsuco Plant in Medley, Fla. that was published on January 28 of this year. Members of our staff hosted journalist Kevin Maurer and a camera person, conducted a tour and answered their questions about the plant and the industry in general. If you haven't read it, I recommend it. Thanks for writing. Please let us know if you have questions about our Carolinas Cement project. >
Kate McClain



Mr. Odom, What specific chemical testing has been done on Mr. Henderson's milk and what government agency does the testing? Thank you>
Anonymous



Mr. Odom and Ms. Mcclain: What specific chemical testing was done on Mr. Henderson's milk and what government agency does the testing? This is a second request for spedific information concernng information you have printed on your website. Thank you>
Anonymous



Anonymous - Thanks for your questions regarding dairy farming. I don't know the answer, but I imagine you could find out what government agency tests and regulates milk production with a quick Google search.>
Kate McClain

Impressive! Royal palms frame a gigantic symbol of America’s industrial strength in Florida. A dramatic and beautiful picture by photographer Mike Spencer captured the essence of mankind; our relationship with aesthetic earthly elements and natural resources that improve our lives—here art and functionality came together. A Wilmington StarNews report by Kevin Maurer and Mr. Spencer documented works of a great productive industry and how we benefit from them. (link)

Titan America represents the worthiness of creativity: producing valuable products and wealth from the earth. Who among us would dishonor the people who do these things? Sadly, some do exist.

This refreshingly informative and mostly positive news was tarnished by infusing antipathetic claims by a few spooked environmental activists. When contrasted with the important contributions of American natural resources industries to our economic well-being, these people are remote and irrelevant—their failed and flawed cause isn’t worthy of attention.

Cement has been produced in America for more than 60 years without harming people. Some timid and easily offended souls out there may not like temporary unsightly mining and unrefined mechanized production processes, but these affronts do not define “harmful” in the normal sense: damaging, dangerous, unhealthy, destructive etc. As far as I know, actual public harm has rarely, if ever, been found from practices at cement plants or mines.

Florida activists have attacked the Titan people with frivolous charges. In a lawsuit they claimed that federal and state government permitting processes were flawed. They lost. And they alleged benzene contamination of water from the cement plant. They couldn’t prove it. Yet, Titan plant managers (in Florida and Virginia) can demonstrate that “there are no safety concerns” from water unearthed and returned from the mining sites.

North Carolina Coastal Federation agitators and their regional affiliate groups have for three years tried to discredit Carolinas Cement, a Titan subsidiary, and interfere with plans to build a modern plant near Castle Hayne, N. C. They persist slandering the company, spreading malicious speculative propaganda and litigating to stall the state permitting process.

Reasonable people don’t accept arguments “based on speculation”— such as carelessly thrown at Carolinas Cement. There’s a vast disconnect between producers and utopians that deceitfully attack our American industries and destructively try to prevent the development and use of our natural resources—disparate and irreconcilable causes.

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If these so called "spooked" environmentalist are not worthy of attention why do you spend so much time addressing the concerns brought forth by scientists, doctors, regulatory agencies and the general public. If their cause is so failed what is the purpose of your blog. >
Anonymous



Hi Anonymous. Not sure I understand your question. We welcome the opportunity to answer reasonable questions and provide updates on the Carolinas Cement project, as well as Titan America LLC and our subsidiaries. We also occasionally repost other content that is germaine to our topics, such as Mr. Smith's article posted above. >
Kate McClain

The conclusions cited in a recent study from ICF International on the potential health impacts of the proposed Carolinas Cement plant are fundamentally flawed for three reasons.

1. The study uses the maximum potential to emit (PTE) emission levels detailed in Carolinas Cement Company’s air permit with the NC Division of Air Quality (as dictated by law). The reality is that no cement plant operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The emissions will be significantly lower, according to both Titan America and NC DAQ officials. Furthermore, even at the PTE level, Carolinas Cement has demonstrated through the NCDAQ and EPA permitting requirements that the facility will comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which are public health protection levels set by the EPA with an adequate margin of safety to protect sensitive populations, such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly.

2. The ICF International study is not peer-reviewed by independent scientists outside of the employ of ICF. When Titan America employed toxicology company Intertox to conduct an independent study of the potential impact of Carolinas Cement in 2008/2009, the study methodology and results were peer-reviewed by four independent scientists who are experts in toxicology and human health risk assessment. The peer review followed National Academy of Sciences guidelines to determine whether its findings were conservative and appropriate. No such reviews were conducted by ICF International.

3. The ICF study does not account for reductions in emissions due to proposed changes for existing sources, and what the net impact of those reductions will be. There is no cement plant in the world with more stringent pollution controls than those proposed for Carolinas Cement, and the ICF study clearly demonstrates that Carolina Cement’s contribution as compared to the baseline cases is very small. Carolinas Cement’s advanced technologies will enable it to capture 99.9% of all particulate matter created during the manufacturing process.

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On January 24, ICF International presented the results of an analysis estimating the potential health effects for New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties if Titan America constructs its proposed cement manufacturing facility in Castle Hayne. In response, on January 25, Titan America released a statement through Bob Odom questioning the study’s results. Each of Mr. Odom’s assertions is addressed below. Further, each of Mr. Odom’s assertions fails to affect the findings of ICF International’s analysis. “The emissions will be significantly lower, according to both Titan America and N.C. DAQ officials.” Mr. Odom’s initial argument is that the facility’s pollution will be “significantly lower” than the proposed permit limits and that ICF based its analysis on unrealistic pollution levels. ICF’s analysis was based on information and modeling data provided by Titan America to the North Carolina Division of Air Quality, the same information that is the foundation of the draft permit issued in August 2011. Therefore, if ICF’s estimates are inaccurate it is because Titan’s own estimates and the proposed permit limits allow excessive pollution. Importantly, the Clean Air Act requires DAQ to set permit limits based on the “maximum degree of reduction for each pollutant.” In other words, if Titan’s proposed emissions will be “significantly lower” than the permit limits in the draft permit, those permit limits are illegal. If Mr. Odom’s statement is accurate, and both Titan and DAQ believe emissions will be significantly lower than the draft permit limits, then Titan must revise its application and DAQ must reevaluate the draft permit, establish new permit limits, and reissue a draft permit with a new public comment period. “The ICF International study is not peer-reviewed.” Mr. Odom’s second argument is misleading. ICF inserted Titan America’s permit data into models developed and used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Both models used to evaluate the health effects of the proposed facility, Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (“CMAQ”) and Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (“BenMap”), have been extensively peer reviewed and revised to provide the accurate estimates of air quality and health effects. ICF International is global consulting firm that regularly works with government agencies and industry to evaluate air quality impacts. Mr. Odom’s challenge to the company’s credibility is baseless. “The ICF study does not account for reductions in emissions due to proposed changes for existing sources.” The ICF study analyzed the difference in air quality in 2014 with and without Titan’s proposed facility. Therefore, changes in emissions from existing sources that may or may not occur in the future do not change the fundamental findings of the analysis. According to industry-reported data compiled by the EPA, New Hanover County has the highest level of toxic air pollution in the state of North Carolina, meaning that regardless of potential changes to any individual source, New Hanover County has air quality concerns that demand attention. Critically, the ICF analysis puts to rest the company’s often-repeated claim that the proposed facility will not harm the health of the local community. As ICF noted in its presentation on January 24, the study could be significantly expanded to take a broader look at public health effects beyond the 5-month analysis included in this modeling project in order to get a more complete view of the facility’s potential impact. “Carolinas Cement’s advanced technologies will enable it to capture 99% of all particulate matter created during the manufacturing process.” This seemingly relevant statement distracts from the critical focus of the study – the pollution that is not captured. The illnesses estimated are based on the pollution that would be emitted from the facility, and the health effects described in ICF’s analysis account for the pollution capture that Mr. Odom describes. What’s more, the statement Mr. Odom’s statement only refers to control of a portion of the particulate matter that would be produced from the facility is considered. It does not, for example, account from many of the sources in the proposed quarry. All together, the company still proposes to emit more than 275 tons of particulate matter each year, including more than 160 tons of fine particles – those that are most harmful. Finally, Mr. Odom fails to acknowledge that the company has not proposed any control technology for volatile organic compounds (chemicals like formaldehyde) or carbon monoxide and have proposed to capture far less than 99% of its mercury, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide emissions. >
Anonymous



No one will doubt the durability and ovlgenity of cement. It is a very good building material, its only shortcoming is the initial production phase is resource intensive. However, some scientists have created an ultra-low carbon cement replacement production technology, that will help reduce carbon emissions. This is one area we can all shift our attention to.>
Grace

Reposted from Squall Lines, January 1, 2012

Big Pharma is adding 40,000 square-feet of “manufacturing capacity” right here in River City, according to the Wilmington StarNews. (link) Horrors! How can the “fragile” coastal environment and delicate “arts community” stand the onslaught of more dreaded manufacturing? For the past three years we’ve heard that producing cement will pollute the air, kill children and generally destroy “quality of life” for us all.

The N. C. Coastal Federation and local Riverkeeper should be demanding answers: Will production of “tablets, capsules” and other drug forms endanger our children? What about polluting chemical discharges into our pristine river? Has the company applied for an air quality permit and conducted a comprehensive environmental review?

Further, will the drugs produced by AAIPharma Services Corp. find their way into “pill mills”? At least 188 people died from prescription overdoses in one Texas county this year, reported by the Houston Chronicle. It could happen here.

Finally, will the 13 activist demonstrators with Occupy Wilmington camp at this corporate site to demand that its people spread their riches to the “99 percent”? The “greedy” corporation recently reported “record revenues and operating income.” How dare the CEO of AAIPharma call this “fantastic”? Doesn’t he understand that his job is to protect our environment and distribute corporate wealth to those who demand it?

Where are the environmental and social justice activists to defend us against Big Pharma?

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Why did you not post my previous comment? I did not see it as disrespectful or inappropriate for this blog.>
Bee Smart



Bee Smart - Sorry, I did not receive a previous post from you. Please resend it and we'll try to respond promptly.>
Kate McClain

Many thanks to those of you who turned out for today's public hearing meeting.  I enjoyed talking with some old friends and meeting some new friends.  From those who support our initiative, choose not to support our initiative or are still unsure, it's always interesting to hear differing viewpoints.  

Remember, there's one more public hearing scheduled for Thursday, September 29 from 6:00 to 10:00 at Kenan Auditorium at UNC-Wilmington at 601 S. College Road. We'd love to see you there.  Or,  feel free to voice your opinions to patrick.butler@ncdenr.gov.

I'm going to provide a round up of important comment and questions after Thursday's meeting, so please stay tuned. 

POST A COMMENT

Thanks for your question on our August 8th post regarding Carolinas Cement, the PCA and its position with EPA regulations.  As we've stated many times, these issues are complex and often very technical and we believe you deserve to have your question answered with sufficient detail. 

While it is correct that Titan America's CEO currently chairs the Portland Cement Association (PCA, which represents 97% of US cement capacity) for a two year term (2011-2012), he does not establish the PCA's priorities and actions. That is determined by the majority vote of PCA's membership. In fact, Titan America is one of the smaller PCA member companies, accounting for less than 5% of the votes.

Also, while you express a publicly-held impression that the PCA is simply acting to block EPA regulations, the reality is much more complex and deserves to be presented.   

a.  The US cement industry is in its fifth year of a deep recession, with profitability having been wiped out and plants struggling to justify the almost $5 billion of capital spending necessary to meet numerous EPA regulations in the short timeframes provided (as a reference the total annual sales of the entire US cement industry are about $6 billion).  The PCA estimates that 20% of US capacity will be forced to close, laying off thousands of employees. This will also drive up future import dependency from overseas plants that have less stringent emissions regulations. The industry notes that emissions have already been reduced in half during the 5+ year recession and is asking for an extension of the deadlines.

b. Cement production emissions are more dependent on the local raw materials than on the fuel. The industry argues that the ‘one shoe fits all’ approach to EPA regulations is unfair, uneconomic and infeasible to many plants that have less favorable raw materials.

c. The industry argues that EPA’s emittant-by-emittant approach to emissions regulation, rather than facility-by-facility approach, creates unrealistic targets that cannot be achieved in totality by any one facility. It’s like asking the decathlon gold winner to also win the gold medal in each individual sport. Some emittants are set so unrealistically low that they are 5-10 times lower than levels presently in effect in Europe.

d. The industry argues that EPA’s piece-meal approach to multiple regulations, both in effect and proposed, makes them inconsistent and contradicting each other, causing implementation to satisfy all of them impossible.

e. The industry argues that many of the technology solutions proposed have not been commercially proven in the cement industry, and is asking more time to commercially test these and other technologies, before applying them on a wide scale.

Carolinas Cement recognizes that the regulatory environment is in flux and may change based on all the factors mentioned above.

However, it is important to note that a new plant is different from an existing plant. A new plant does not have to go through the difficulties and cost of retrofitting around existing equipment and past technologies. A new plant can install the latest commercial technology available in its industry. A new plant has a self interest to be at the cutting edge, since it is generally more expensive to retrofit later than to install something from the beginning.

Therefore, even if ultimately there are some adjustments in the EPA regulatory limits, and the North Carolina DAQ feels that adjustments to the limits in Carolina Cement’s permit are justified, Carolinas Cement plans to install the best technology available as we have already proposed, and as a new facility under the regulations we will be among the lowest emitting cement plants in the world.   We look forward to a time when regulatory authorities are willing to engage in collaborative win-win efforts, rather than traditional command-control methods, to allow new plants like Carolinas Cement to serve as a testing ground for advanced technologies not yet commercially proven.  Unfortunately, the current regulatory structure does not allow for this.

Isn’t it time we give American industry a chance in this country, rather than forcing it offshore and create and keep manufacturing jobs at home when our economy needs them the most?

Thank you again for an excellent question.

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There are two sides to the question and you have failed to mention the very positive human health benefits of the Clean Air Act and EPA enforcement in these matters. >
Anonymous



Thank you for keeping this an open Blog. There are two sides to the question and you have failed to mention the very positive human health benefits of the Clean Air Act and EPA enforcement in these matters. Independent analysis of the Clean Air Act and EPA regulations of industrial air emmissions reveal that more than 2.2 million lives will be saved between 2010 and 2020 if EPA regulations remain intact. In addition multiple data sources show that heart attacks, asthma attacks, bronchitis, and other illnesses will be signifantly reduced in surrounding populations. Attempts to derail or defund the EPA's regulatory authority in these matters are misguided and contrary to the public good. >
Anonymous



As pointed out, the US cement industry has been significantly impacted by the recession, with plants closing and thousands losing their jobs. Therefore, why the need to build one of the largest plants in the US in little old Wilmington, on the banks of the Cape Fear River?>
Anonymous



As pointed out, the US cement industry has been significantly impacted by the recession, with plants closing and thousands losing their jobs. Therefore, why the need to build one of the largest plants in the US in little old Wilmington, on the banks of the Cape Fear River?>
Anonymous



This response is to your question about the recession and our cement plant. Carolinas Cement is a long-term proposition. It will take us several years to satisfy the requirements for the EIS and to build and staff the plant. As you probably know, there is no cement plant in the state of North Carolina now. As economic conditions improve, it will be critical to have a cement producer near your projects. Those who remember what cement allocation was like a few years ago never want to be put in that position again. It stalls projects and progress and makes concrete unnecessarily expensive. As a global issue, it's far better to produce cement domestically, where we have strict regulations for emission controls. It's environmentally irresponsible to increase the carbon footprint by shipping it in from foreign countries. We should keep the jobs and the other economic benefits here in N.C. The Carolinas Cement plant will be among the most environmentally sound and technologically advanced plants in the world. When you review all the facts, New Hanover County is an excellent location for Carolinas Cement. It will be an asset to the community and its citizens will benefit greatly for years to come. >
Kate McClain

Many people have inquired about our response to President Obama's proposed regulations to reduce ground level ozone.  I've posted our official statement below:

New Hanover County’s ozone level is 61 parts per billion (2008-2010 data), which is well within the current regulatory limit of 75 ppb. Since President Obama was elected, the EPA has been reviewing ozone regulations and industry anticipated a recommendation to reduce levels to 65 ppb. Even at 65 ppb, we did not anticipate any impact on our permitting process, as we are already using the Best Achievable Control Technology (BACT) for those pollutants that would affect ozone levels. By keeping the levels at 75 ppb, it neither complicates nor simplifies our permitting process — it has no impact.

Carolinas Cement Company (CCC) is committed to constructing one of the most efficient, environmentally safe cement plants in the world. Our new plant will pioneer the industry’s most advanced emission control technologies and exemplifies the new generation of clean manufacturers that New Hanover County needs to remain economically viable and one of the nation’s best places to live and work.

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In response to our post, TVRM Plants are First to Be Awarded NRMCA Sustainable Concrete Certification, one of our readers responded, "Were any of these plants recently cited by Virginia environmental officials for permit violations?"  See the August 12 post.  The answer to the question is yes. 

Let me begin by saying we take all violations seriously and act quickly and effectively to remedy the situation, whatever it is. In this instance, the Clear Brook Ready-Mix Plant was cited for deficiencies of an administrative and recordkeeping nature.  We remedied the situation by implementing a web-based environmental software system which helps track key dates and conditions associated with all facility permits.  It also assigns specific task responsibility to key individuals who get regular reminder notices to further insure compliance. 

It may interest you to know that our new database system works so well, the Clear Brook Ready-Mix Plant recently received approval to reduce the monitoring frequency from monthly to quarterly.  Furthermore, the facility recently received NRMCA Green-Star certification and as you already know, was one of the first plants in the country to obtain the NRMCA Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification.  Obviously, we regret getting the viiolation but the solution is a tip of  the hat to one of our seven core values, Continuous Improvement.   

Thanks again for the question and feel free to write us again.

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An excellent question was posed in response to the article I posted last week (see Anonymous under "Paving the Way...Greenhouse Reductions."   I consulted with our corporate engineering department for the facts. I've included their response here:

Unfortunately the answer is not as simple as switching to natural gas and the expected reduction in pollutants is not as straight forward for a cement plant as it is for a power plant. To break down the answer:

• The use of natural gas at CCC was evaluated in the greenhouse gas (GHG) BACT analysis and although there would be a decrease in carbon emissions by using natural gas, due to the cost and the inability to switch back to another fuel in the event there were an interruption in the supply of natural gas, natural gas was not determined to be BACT. With regard to the cost alone, natural gas would put CCC at a significant competitive disadvantage with other cement producers in the U.S., where no other cement plant uses natural gas as a primary fuel.

• NOx emissions from using natural gas at a cement kiln actually increase 2-3 times over that from using coal. This is because NOx from cement kilns comes primarily from the formation of “thermal” NOx formed from the heat and intensity of the flame and the naturally occurring nitrogen in the air in the kiln burning zone as opposed to “fuel” NOx formed from nitrogen in the fuel. If baseline NOx emissions increase 2-3x with natural gas, the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system used for NOx control at CCC may not be capable of reducing the NOx emissions to the permitted level, and trying to do so can increase other emissions such as SO2, CO and condensible PM2.5.

 • SO2 emissions would not change by using natural gas because practically all sulfur in fuel (coal in our case) is captured and incorporated into the product and the sulfur that is emitted from the kiln comes from the limestone and other raw materials, which would not change by switching to natural gas.

• PM2.5 emissions would not significantly change as the coal contribution is very small compared to the other raw materials, and the exhaust gases will be passing through bagfilters and a wet scrubber which will meet a final emission limit that would not change based on a switch to natural gas.

• Similarly for mercury, the largest portion of the mercury entering the system is from the limestone and other raw materials, and again the exhaust gases will be passing through an activated carbon injection system and a wet scrubber, which will be needed regardless of the fuel used, to meet a final emission limit that would not change based on a switch to natural gas.

Thanks again for an excellent question. If this is unclear, or if you have additional questions, please let me know.

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Thank you for the reply. It was very informative.>
N. Tarbox



Thank you for your reply. Since your engineers have already done these calculations how many tons of NOX, SOX, mercury, PM 2.5, and CO2 will be produced using coal as fuel compared to natural gas? The numbers for coal are available on your website but the specific numbers for natural gas are not. >
Anonymous



Hi Anonymous - I turned once again to our corporate engineers to answer your question: The actual emissions for NOx, SO2 and PM2.5 will be the same regardless of the fuel type because their emission limits are set by the permit. Using coal or natural gas will require that the exhaust be treated to meet those limits. The issue in this regard is if natural gas were used and the NOx emissions before treatment were 2-3 times greater, could the SNCR treatment system lower the NOx emissions to the permitted level? And, the likely answer is “no”. For CO2, the draft permit limits CCC to 0.91 tons of CO2 (equivalent) per ton of clinker, and if it were practical and economically feasible to use natural gas, the CO2 emissions would be reduced approximately 19%.>
Kate McClain



What about using Propane as an option for fuel? Propane is a by product of natural gas and is a cleaner burning fuel. >
Mike Wallace

I thought you might enjoy this article published by David Chandler in R&D Magazine. 

Concrete is one of the most extensively used materials worldwide–on average, more than two tons per year of the rock-like stuff is produced for every man, woman, and child on Earth, making its use second only to water. And that vast amount of new concrete is responsible for somewhere between 5 and 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a significant target for improvements.

To that end, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2009 established a research group called the Concrete Sustainability Hub, with support from the cement industry. This month the CSH issued two major reports–one on concrete pavements, the second on concrete buildings–that examine in detail those products’ life-cycle costs, in both money and greenhouse gas emissions. The group's principal researchers say these are the most comprehensive and transparent (all their data and assumptions are open) analyses ever attempted.

One example of the pavement report's novel contributions is to take into account the effects of different methods and materials used for constructing pavements. These decisions can significantly impact the performance of the vehicles that eventually travel over them, but in previous efforts to quantify pavements' life-cycle costs and emissions, there has been little or no attempt to factor in these variables. Similarly, maintenance practices, including the emissions resulting from traffic delays and detours caused by road repairs, are not often included in assessments.

The MIT report on pavements attempts to quantify all of these elements and include their overall impact. For example, differences in surface roughness and in the stiffness of the pavement, it turns out, do have a small impact on vehicle gas mileage, which, when multiplied by the vast number of vehicles on the road, can add up to a major difference in emissions over the pavement’s full life cycle.

"We wanted to put out a methodology that’s more or less comprehensive, looking at everything in the whole life cycle," says Nicholas Santero, a research scientist in MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the lead author of the 100-page report on pavements.

To study the effect of pavement stiffness, the team used computer models, as previous efforts to directly measure physical effects had been "all over the map" because the differences are so small, Santero says. Essentially, less-stiff roads that give more as a vehicle passes over create a small indentation where the wheels are, so that to a very small extent the car is always going "uphill" and uses more fuel. Stiffer roads, such as those made from concrete rather than asphalt, can thus provide a slight boost in efficiency.

Because there are wide variations in usage patterns and climate conditions experienced by different roads, the MIT team looked at 12 specific types of roads–ranging from interstate highways to local surface roads–to carry out their analysis.

Along with devising a method that others can apply to evaluating choices for a particular construction project, the team came up with some specific suggestions of actions that could improve a road’s life-cycle costs, emissions or both:

Increase maintenance work on roadways to keep the surface smoother, thus improving the gas mileage of the cars and trucks that use it. For example, instead of scheduling road maintenance every 20 years, do it every 10 years.

When pavement is replaced, pulverizing the old concrete and leaving it exposed for at least a year causes it to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, helping to cancel out part of the emissions released when the cement was produced.

Even the color of a road can mitigate its overall effect on Earth's climate: Lighter roads reflect more sunlight, while darker ones absorb it and get hotter. Just as white roofs can help to reduce warming of the climate, so can lighter pavements–which can be produced by adding lighter-colored aggregate (gravel or crushed rock) to the concrete mixture.

Reassess the design criteria for road construction, to account for local and regional differences. Most specifications are now generic, which results in over-engineering many roads, making them stronger than they need to be. Simply reducing the paving thickness in places where this can be done without degrading performance could significantly reduce the amount of cement used, thus reducing both costs and emissions.

Add more fly ash, a waste product scrubbed from the emissions of coal-fired powerplants, to the concrete mix. This material is already widely used, but increasing its use could displace more cement powder, which is a highly energy-intensive material to produce.

Adding up these measures, Santero says, it's possible to reduce the overall carbon emissions associated with concrete pavements by about 50%, relatively easily.

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A better way to reduce carbon emissions and also significantly reduce NOX, SOX, PM 2.5, and mercury would be for the Carolinas Cement plant to use natural gas rather than coal as it's fuel source. Millions of tons of high grade cement are produced world wide using natural gas so the technology is there. The Sutton Power plant is converting to natural gas and natural gas lines will be available as other plants convert from coal to natural gas in New Hanover County so natural gas is available. Please comment. Thank you >
Anonymous



Please see our reply in the posting above.>
Kate McClain

So very proud of our hard-working people at Titan Virginia Ready-Mix! I've attached the press release for your review: 

August 11, 2011 - Norfolk, Va. –  Officials at Titan America LLC are pleased to announce that three of their Virginia plants were among the first to be certified this week by the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association’s new Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification Program.  The plants include Clear Brook Ready-Mix, in Clear Brook, Virginia; Suffolk Ready-Mix Concrete in Suffolk, Va.; and Bryan Park Ready-Mix in Richmond, Va.

“This is tangible, measurable proof of our commitment to sustainability, conservation and energy efficiency,” said Earl Losier, Titan America’s Vice President of Aggregates and Virginia Ready Mix.  “It’s a proud day for us here in the Commonwealth and throughout the company. We will continue efforts to improve our operations in every way we can.” 

Launched earlier this year, the NRMCA Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification program is designed to help concrete producers demonstrate excellence in sustainable manufacturing. The program includes quantitative, performance-based metrics to provide ready-mixed concrete producers with specific guidance to assess their production practices and implement sustainability strategies that will ultimately lower their overall footprint.

To certify, plant personnel use Concrete Plant Guidelines that rate a plant's level of sustainability within different credit categories, with the objective of reducing carbon footprint, energy consumption, water use and waste; increasing recycled content; and improving human health and social conditions.

Officials at Titan America LLC are pleased to announce that three of their Virginia plants were among the first to be certified this week by the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association’s new Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification Program.  The plants include Clear Brook Ready-Mix, in Clear Brook, Virginia; Suffolk Ready-Mix Concrete in Suffolk, Va.; and Bryan Park Ready-Mix in Richmond, Va.

“This is tangible, measurable proof of our commitment to sustainability, conservation and energy efficiency,” said Earl Losier, Titan America’s Vice President of Aggregates and Virginia Ready Mix.  “It’s a proud day for us here in the Commonwealth and throughout the company. We will continue efforts to improve our operations in every way we can.” 

Launched earlier this year, the NRMCA Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification program is designed to help concrete producers demonstrate excellence in sustainable manufacturing. The program includes quantitative, performance-based metrics to provide ready-mixed concrete producers with specific guidance to assess their production practices and implement sustainability strategies that will ultimately lower their overall footprint.

To certify, plant personnel use Concrete Plant Guidelines that rate a plant's level of sustainability within different credit categories, with the objective of reducing carbon footprint, energy consumption, water use and waste; increasing recycled content; and improving human health and social conditions.

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As you may have heard, we recently received our newly revised air permit from DENR.  We offer the following statement to describe the changes and our next steps:

Carolinas Cement Company (CCC) is committed to constructing one of the most efficient, environmentally safe cement plants in the world. Company officials announced today that the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has released a revised draft air quality permit for the proposed CCC cement plant in Castle Hayne. This draft permit comes after three and a half years and a second round of extensive technical reviews of the proposed facility to ensure it will comply with North Carolina and federal air quality regulations and standards. Carolinas Cement Company is a project of parent company Titan America.

In addition to North Carolina’s regulatory requirements, Carolinas Cement will meet all new EPA federal regulations for Portland cement plants that were finalized last year, and these regulations are now fully represented in the draft permit.

A public hearing will be scheduled in the next few weeks to allow residents to comment on the project. A DAQ hearing officer will collect all comments and make a recommendation whether to issue the Air Permit based on any new technical information presented based on science and research. We have faith in the regulatory process and believe that state regulators will make decisions based on facts, not politics.  We look forward to proceeding through the regulatory process

 Carolinas Cement will pioneer the industry’s most advanced emission control technologies and exemplifies the new generation of clean manufacturers that New Hanover County needs to remain economically viable and one of the nation’s best places to live and work. Carolinas Cement is committed to ensuring that public health, the aquifers, the Cape Fear River and Island Creek will be protected throughout every step of this process.

North Carolina needs good jobs. And the demand for cement will continue, particularly as our economy rebounds. When Carolinas Cement reaches full operations, the estimated annual fiscal impact to New Hanover County will exceed $120 million. Carolinas Cement will create 161 permanent, full-time jobs, and 1,000 construction jobs during its two-year construction phase.

Titan America has a long tradition of being an environmentally sensitive neighbor, as evidenced by the many environmental honors awarded to our plants in Virginia and Florida. We look forward to continuing this tradition in Wilmington and bringing much-needed new jobs to the community.

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This Op/Ed ran in yesterday's Richmond Times-Dispatch.  It was written by our own Bob Sells. 

Titan America LLC operates Virginia's only cement plant, Roanoke Cement Co. We are one of the largest employers in Botetourt County. Titan America employs more than 600 employees in the commonwealth of Virginia. We are proud of our environmental record, having received many awards and recognitions for our environmental stewardship and commitment to energy efficiency. Most recently, Roanoke Cement was awarded the Energy Star Award for the fifth year in a row by the Environmental Protection Agency.

We are, however, becoming more and more concerned about an aggressive agenda by the EPA to pursue rules that will further deteriorate our struggling economy and increase costs for consumers, just when so many are struggling to make ends meet. Your readers need to be aware that America's businesses, especially manufacturing companies, are facing a full frontal assault from the EPA.

Specific to the U.S. cement industry, the EPA has recently promulgated regulations that will require billions of dollars of investments over the next three years. And, in March of this year, the EPA proposed a regulation known as the Utility Maximum Achievable Control Technology. Our industry has not even been able to determine the full impact of these regulations to the portland cement industry, and now we learn of new proposed regulations directed at utilities. Most frustrating of all is that these regulations are being hastily proposed without solid scientific research showing that they will result in significant improvements to the environment.

Let's go back to the utilities. As most Virginians know, coal generates much of the electricity provided to our consumers and businesses. These proposed rules will dramatically increase the costs of electricity — costs that again will be passed along to consumers who can ill afford it. These regulations also will result in significant job losses. According to a study prepared by the McIlvaine Company for the National Mining Association, the most likely scenario results in 18,000 jobs lost in the power industry and 20,000 jobs lost in coal production, not to mention the elimination of thousands of related jobs.

The EPA is proposing regulations to control numerous air pollutants that the agency's own studies show pose no risk to human health; the health benefits claimed by the EPA for these proposed regulations are actually for pollutants that are already controlled through other existing regulations. Furthermore, mercury reduction under these proposed regulations represents less than 1 percent of annual global mercury emissions and would do little to reduce mercury deposition in the U.S., 80 percent of which comes from sources outside the country.

Over the past several years, additional emissions controls have been introduced into the power generation fleet, which has reduced emissions even further. By 2015 the coal-fired power-generation industry will have invested $125 billion in coal-utilization technologies that burn coal cleaner and with more efficiency. Power-plant emissions are already down nearly 80 percent since 1970. A coal-fired power facility built today is, on average, 90 percent cleaner than the one it replaces, according to the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Ironically, the ability to build those new plants is next to impossible due to even more stringent EPA regulations.

Everyone supports a healthy, safe and clean planet. Yet the forward-thinking and, I believe, most sincere environmentalists take a global perspective by supporting the production of all commodities here in the U.S. This includes steel, furniture, textiles, rubber goods, farm equipment, mining equipment, construction equipment, electrical equipment, cement and other durable commodities. Why? Our current environmental regulations are some of the strictest in the world.

Instead of closing industries in the U.S. and forcing the production overseas, we can ensure the lowest environmental impact by keeping industry alive in the U.S. If we do not, we will place our already fragile U.S. economy in grave danger by allowing over-regulation to strip us of our ability to manufacture and sell goods. I cannot imagine that U.S. citizens would allow this to happen. It's critical that we all understand what's happening before we reach a crisis situation.

Titan America has always had a strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainable practices. To that end, we've invested millions of dollars and untold man hours on technological upgrades. It's part of our governing objectives. We will continue to be vigilant, careful stewards of our planet and our natural resources. You have my word on that.

The agenda the EPA is pursuing now will put thousands of Americans out of work for little benefit to the environment. I commend Gov. Bob McDonnell and many of his fellow governors for writing President Obama, urging the administration to realize what an economic catastrophe we risk.

It is time that we, as Virginia citizens, find our voices and appeal to our two U.S. senators and the other members of our congressional delegation to put a halt to this regulatory binge. We need a thorough and fair assessment of what the full impact will be before we do irreparable damage to our national economy and to the way of life we've worked hard to build for ourselves here in the commonwealth.

 

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In an excerpt from a lecture titled, “What kinds of evidence count?” in a Great Courses (www.THEGREATCOURSES.com) publication on philosophy and intellectual history, there’s an explanation to the unreasonable verbal assaults on Titan America. The author begins: “Evidence is the crucial thing in promoting disbelief into belief and then promoting belief into knowledge.” Two important ways involve experience and reason.

Our personal experiences often help us support a claim or belief. Using our physical senses gives us a fairly simple and reliable standard that provides first-hand knowledge. The aphorism “Seeing is believing,” has long served our learning process and is often accepted as evidence. That’s why some us from Wilmington accepted the invitation (extended to the public) by Bob Odom, local manager of Carolinas Cement, to travel to the Titan America plant in Roanoke, Virginia.

There we saw the plant, the mine, the operation. We heard the administrators, workers, local officials and residents. We didn’t feel, taste or smell much because the site was unpolluted–not even dust on the mine haul road. Our senses told us this was not a toxic place. Moreover, listening to the people talk enthusiastically about the benefits of the plant; seeing the efficiency, monitoring and safety records; and hearing worker’s pride as they showed us all aspects of the process from mine to finished product, transformed whatever skepticism we had into knowledge.

We know the radical skeptics in the Stop Titan Network will say we were deceived. But the evidence is there: in testimonials; in the eyes and attitude of the workers; at the mine and in the plant; in the trout streams and clean valley air; on the farms and in the hamlets.

In addition to experience (“the first court of appeal”) we also use our ability to reason to get from one proposition, assertion or belief to another. Reasonable people use a “rational, logical, inferential process” to support their beliefs. For example, if we know someone is human, and we know that humans are mortal, we can deduce that the person is mortal. In the case of Titan America, if we investigate other plants it operates and we learn that they do not cause harm; we can by “deductive inference” accept the conclusion that the Castle Hayne plant will not cause harm. Of course, this logic isn’t used by people who irrationally do not accept the basic premises.

They distort reasoning by applying disconnected data to a larger kind of wild, hysterical conclusion. For example, “Burning coal produces mercury…a known neurotoxin. This toxin is dumped into the environment causing developmental delays in children and death.” Because the Carolinas Cement plant may burn coal, opponents say, children will die–a huge leap into disbelief. These kinds of statements are not believable because they don’t even meet the test of probability as a basis for belief or action. Opponents cannot appeal to reason because they are not supported by experience or deductive inference.

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Wilmington StarNews reported the arrival of a Greenpeace ship for fundraising and to rally against Titan America Cement Co. and the local Sutton Coal Power Plant (“evening vigil/demonstration”). Environmental activists with the Stop Titan Network and UNC-Wilmington ECO club joined forces with this radical leftist group.

The StarNews reporter wrote that these people came to “raise awareness about environmental issues.” Actually, they came to raise money; with the help of local, what socialist utopians have called, “useful idiots.”

Greenpeace, an international group based in Amsterdam, is the largest environmental organization in the world. However, this “green” gang (described as a “$360 million global empire”) focuses more on money than on the environment. Its U. S. presence isn’t strong (a $10 million operation), but the mission of these agitators threatens economic and cultural stability worldwide.

Greenpeace people use threats, intimidation and scare tactics with fascistic “actions” against corporate “targets.” Even their radical founder has described this bunch as eco-extremists and “basically anti-civilization.” Others have referred to them as “political extremists” and “scientifically illiterate.” Certainly, they’re also economic illiterates.

As with most other environmental groups Greenpeaceniks hang in a large spider web of other subversive “anti-” organizations. One such is the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Sounds benign, but it’s been described as a “violent” and “pirate” organization. SSCS founder Paul Watson also founded Greenpeace—the mission of the SSCS fascist gang is to “stop fishing.” This fringe-group “advocates the total shutdown of the global fishery industry.”

These nasty people use “aggressive and illegal tactics to further other political causes.” Watson recklessly controls two other violent activities: the Oceanic Research and Conservation Action Force that “damages and destroys ships at dock” and the Coeur du Bois, an underground group that cowardly spikes timber trees to injure forest workers who harvest wood. Watson is funded by and connected to some of the most extreme eco-terrorist gangs, and other social misfits, such as the Animal Liberation Front (ALF).

Sadly, these are the kind of people with which our local Stop Titan Network activists and some UNCW faculty and a few of their gullible, radicalized students choose to associate. Not all environmental groups openly advocate violence, but they all ultimately resort to fascist methods of lying, intimidation, and scaremongering to promote their utopian causes. Why? Because they have no factually reasoned arguments to make a case for preventing the use of our natural resources that improves all human lives.

COMMENTS (13)	·	POST A COMMENT

Greenpeace tactics are almost a mirror image for stop titan. Scare tactics, un-truths, twisting of data or facts to the causes advantage. What else would you expect from a group that protests environmental wrong-doings as they rip around the globe in a diesel-powered ship. Its really all about the money, which the local stop titan group says is the only focus of Carolina Cement. I do not want to see the fragile environment of our area jeopardized and believe that the environmental rules, laws and regulations set in place by government agencies have the best interests of the residents of our nation as their main concern. People should try to be part of a positive solution instead of poisoning themselves and spreading ill-will with adverse actions. >
Milt Packard



With regard to STOP TITAN, what specific untruths or twisting of facts are you refering to? Please back up your assertions with your reference sources. Thank you.>
Anonymous



Just a few of UNCW ECO executive board: Major and GPA (names excluded) Environmental Science: 3.7 Marine Biology: 3.7 Environmental Studies: 3.5 Environmental Studies: 3.4 Physics: 3.6 "Useful idiots" may be a bit inaccurate. >
Anonymous



I don't know what GPA or education has to do with distorting the facts more education just makes you better at lying I think. Plain and simple these people are using scare tactics and making it so the United States won't have any manufacturing left.The best we can hope for is to be a nation of service providers, how many nail salons and car repair shops can we have?I'm fairley sure this is not what we want in the US but unless we wake up its what we're headed for. Its pretty clear the government is paying close attention and making the companies limit their emissions. Let's let them do their job and stop making it so hard to build new factories here so we can create jobs.If not were DOOMED! >
Tired of the lies



It takes more integrity and courage to fight for an issue that is largely unsupported than to sit and write a blog full of lies and deceit.>
Anonymous



It takes more integrity and courage to fight for a cause than tohide behind your computer screen and write a blog full of twisted truths and false information. If you have any qualms with these organizations then stopping dropping insults and lies and meet with an opposing representative. >
Annoyed by Ignorance



The fact of the matter is that these major industrial corporations exploit people and destroy public land for massive profits. The practice is unsustainable and has an expiration date. The people that oppose these acts just want to presearve the integrity of thier homes for thier children and thier children's children. End of story. >
Joshua Prindiville



Wow not one fact in the whole rant. I think this hateful blog shows exactly what kind of people these Carolinas Cement folks are. Wow. Amazingly unprofessional. >
Anonymous



Dear Anonymous - It's clear to me that the messages in this string were not posted by employees of Carolinas Cement or Titan America. As you know, this blog is open to the public. Not sure I understand your comment about professionalism or lack thereof or how these words reflect the integrity of our company>
Kate McClain, Titan America



Ms. McClain refers to the bloggers who support their project, which also includes RE Smith, who is the biggest name caller of them all, as not representing Carolinas Cement. Mr. Smith is in communication with CCC representatives and was, in fact, at the public hearing in 2009 with some of their employees. What I would suggest to Ms. McClain is to provide some rules and screening for their blogging site to prevent the continous negative name calling and characterizations of anyone who opposes their project as an activist, "red" and other names but that would limit their support so they continue to allow any type of message on their website. Just exposes them for who they are. Now I understand they are sicking their lawyers on folks who have expressed their opposition and professional opinion within their right of free speech. Not unexpected. Their plant manager, Mr. Odom, does not know the difference between laws, lies to the public and promises Titan's will abide by the new EPA rules all the while challenging that rule meant to protect our children. All for their bottom line. This is how these companies work. Spreading their money around in the community and buying soccer uniforms and tennis courts while promising to protect our comminity and at the same time proposing an air permit that only minimally protects the public. Wake up everybody. Titan is only interested in Titan. >
Anonymous



Some simple questions. When you hire, how many will come here with cement-specific experience from around the country, having worked for cement plants already up and polluting, but caught up in the ongoing process laying off workers like mad because there is such a global and national glut of cement? Also, who supplies the cement the Wilmington Port imports? Other countries or from US cement plants? Cement has been one of the top annual imports (measure by tons of cement), and I wonder if cement jobs would be lost if we stop importing cement at our port? Titan and local supporters are pro-business, they say. Does this mena free market pro-business, or maniuplated crony capitalism with trade barriers erected thanks to the C$m$nt LO$$Y handing out piles of dollars to help re-elections, fundraising, and other productive business dealings in the nation's Capital. Or am I missing something, and despite the industry's excessive market manipulations to control demand, price, etc.this is aligned with GE's Mr Immelt's Jobs & Competitiveness guidelines designed to OUT-BUILD the rest of the world.>
tom looney



Anonymous - You are right and have all the answers! I would sit down with you to debate how you could see this area grow. As I said before, if the "smart" people were really focused on improving our area they would have already devised a solution for solid waste, focus on mandatory re-cyling programs, cleaning up the water sheds, highways and "free-lands". I do not see a major force used on any of these issues. I am not sure why this is not placed higher on the pile for individuals that claim to be concerned about environmental deatils. They could also use brain power and fresh new ideas to minimize the amounts of affluents released by everything that people use or transportation, places of employment....instead they drive their children to school in their SUV, most going on New Hanover county roads, which have a very high automotive accident rate. This is a great way to lower their carbon footprint and decrease the chance of injury to themselves and loved ones. Lower, stricter levels for industrial regulations are not a way to lower emissions, anyone can adjust these limits. True solutions are ideas that are tested and proven to be effective. I can see that mobilizing and scaring the public by telling people they will be sick and someone they know will die, is easier than actually solving what they belive is an issue. I just gave some examples - yes, there are recycling , clean up and land management programs, are they effective enough? Are there accidents with people taking children to school everyday - no. You just cannot have it two ways; for almost everything there are 2 viewpoints. >
Milt Packard



I think your post is rather overly negative and unneccesary.>
Anonymous

Dear Friends,

Thanks to all the good people who stopped by our booth at the Wilmington Biz Expo. We're thrilled that we got the opportunity to talk with so many of you. It's gratifying to receive your good wishes and to know we have your continued support.  We answered lots of good questions, and without a doubt the most common one was, "We need you!  When are you going to build the plant?"

We sincerely appreciate your warmth, support and vote of confidence. We promise to keep you updated with news of our development. Check this website regularly and drop us an e-mail (bodom@titanamerica.com) if you'd like to receive our e-blasts.  As always, call or e-mail us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Our very best,

Bob, Sean and Kate

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Gee, I wonder why the EPA would be worried about fly ash?! It only damn near caused the greatest environmental disaster in the Southeastern USA 2 years ago!! http://www.phillyimc.org/en/tva-coal-fly-ash-disaster-1-year-anniversary-and-videos Shame on the tone-deaf organized Big Polluter mafia trying to rationalize a devastatingly backwards addition to this region...though, come to think of it, it is about what the place deserves. The stubborn little habit they have with myth-making and distorting reality makes the place very vulnerable to the siren call of the manipulators who are otherwise running out of co-conspirators to accept their BS about "corporate goodness". Liars. >
Flyash Bender



You obviously haven't read this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/science/earth/22carbon.html?_r=1&scp=21&sq=climate%20change&st=cse ...or really care about the bigger picture beyond this little area over the next 20 years (when limestone is all depleted). What after that?? >
Anonymous



If you open this plant, I will move my family. This area is already overburdened by mercury and pollution. I don't drink any tap water or bottled water here, only purified water. You open this cement plant, and I might as well stop breathing. There are SO many other kinds of cleaner industry to invite here for so many MORE jobs that the few that Titan will provide. I am not alone in these feelings. The physicians in the area will probably beat me out of here, just because they have the resources to do it, but come hell or high water, I'll leave and never even come back to the polluted beaches to visit. You're going to kill the largest industry in the area: tourism. The universe is unbiased, and what you create will come back to haunt you, period. Get out, now. And don't come back. I feel sorry for people with your level of greed and stupidity.>
Anonymous

Happy New Year, friends.

We’re beginning 2011 with some important news that I wanted to share with you. Wake County Superior Court decided that we don’t have to comply with SEPA.  Instead, we’ll abide by NEPA, which is equivalent to SEPA, according to NC law.  DENR is now able to proceed with processing our air permit.  This is good news for the Carolinas Cement project and the Wilmington area.

Need a reminder about how we got from there to here?  Back in May of 2010, we were involved in a law suit with an opposition group to determine whether or not we were required to comply with SEPA (North Carolina’s State Environmental Policy Act), instead of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act).  The issue was that we had been offered incentives by the state and the county to locate our new plant in New Hanover County so there was that possibility of public money being involved.  The Wake County Superior Court made the decision back in May to prohibit DENR from taking any action on our Air Quality Permit pending further investigation. To simplify things, we decided to decline the incentives.  As a result, the Superior Court dissolved the injunction at the end of 2010. 

I hate repeating myself, but it is so important that you are clear on this:   When we began this project, we were instructed to follow NEPA.  NEPA includes everything (and then some) that SEPA does, so we’re not circumventing any studies or requirements.  You’ve probably seen the comparison charts we ran in the StarNews. If you need me to send you one, I will.  We will follow all State, Federal and local requirements to the letter.  

 In my opinion, this lawsuit and scrutiny has yielded nothing but misunderstanding and frustration.  It’s delaying good full-time jobs and construction opportunities for our local people.  It’s delaying significant spin-off economic benefits for local merchants, such as restaurants, realtors, car dealers, hotels, entertainment and other service providers.  It’s delaying millions of dollars in taxes to New Hanover County, money the area needs right now.  The good news is that we can now get back to work. 

I appreciate your continued support.  I hope this New Year finds you healthy and happy and motivated to work with me to rebuild prosperity in our corner of North Carolina.

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Some astute observers of environmentalism say it’s a religious sect. Others believe it’s a new way for those who would resurrect failed socialist ideology. In a clinical sense it’s thought of as a societal cancer—a malignancy invading our cultural and economic tissue that, if left untreated, metastasizes throughout society. Fittingly, a dictionary definition of cancer is: “A pernicious, spreading evil.” These ideas alert us to the infectious nature of environmentalists’ insidious activities.

At this site we have on occasion explored the vast web of organizations that spread the virulent strain of environmentalism. Locally the Stop Titan Action Network represents a tiny anaplastic cell of this worldwide malignant growth; but the large web expands.

For example, the Sierra Club is one of 36 environmental nonprofits linked to the N. C. Coastal Federation. Its North Carolina chapter actively sponsors a “Beyond Coal Campaign,” fights UNC-Chapel Hill to abort its use of a coal-fired power plant, and works in the network to prevent the proposed Titan America cement plant in Castle Hayne. “The Sierra Club’s War on Coal” is exposed in a recent Capital Research Center article.

Another sticky string in the web, the Cape Fear River Watch (member of the Waterkeeper Alliance), joins with six other “Riverkeeper” groups to “strenuously oppose Duke Energy’s” proposed new coal-fired plant near Shelby, N. C.—one of its “major campaigns” reported in CFRW’s “Advocacy Center”—in addition to stopping the Titan America cement plant.

The CRC article concludes: “The economic damage created by the Sierra Club’s anti-coal campaign to date can still be reversed. But do policymakers have the will to fight back before it metastasizes?” We’ll see. They have the legislative radiation to reduce the immediate threats to our economic health from malignant environmentalism—but we will also need a large dose of preventative political medicine.

 

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As you may have heard, Titan America executives delivered a letter to Governor Bev Perdue on Thursday in which we officially declined the economic development incentives approved by the North Carolina Department of Commerce from the One North Carolina Fund as well as those approved by the New Hanover County Commissioners.  These incentives were offered to us as a welcoming invitation to establish a robust business and provide 161 well-paying jobs in New Hanover County.  It's my hope that the State of NC will now use these funds to attract additional businesses which can further economic growth and provide much-needed jobs.

Here's the statement Carolinas Cement's General Manager, Bob Odom delivered yesterday: 

Carolinas Cement Company announced today that we will decline incentives from the State of North Carolina and the tax rebate extended by New hanover County as economic development incentives to construct a cement plant in Castle Hayne.

We decided to forego the incentive money to expedite the project and bring much-needed jobs and economic enrichment to the community.

Carolinas Cement Company will proceed with our original plans to obtain an Air Quality Permit while fully complying with all State and Federal regulations.  We will satisfy all requirements, and studies specified under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an exact mirror of SEPA.  The plant will not be built until the studies have been completed and permits have been granted. 

 

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Last weekend I had a chance to visit the Creekwood Community Center while Alfredia McDonald with the Wilmington Housing Authority and her volunteers were handing out backpacks to young and underpriviledged children. We have donated to this cause for two years but this was the first time I had seen how it worked.

There were many families there waiting for the backpack filled with school supplies. The kids were excited picking out the different colored backpacks and the parents were very appreciative that this would be one expense they would not have to bear.

Money is tight for all of us when it comes to contributions. Next year or sometime this year, this charity might be a good one to consider as you decide how best to use your money in the communtiy.

 

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From Squall Lines, Posted August 3rd, 2010

A StarNews article reminds us that little old “pristine” River City rests amongst heavy industry. Who knew? And who cares?

The Port of Wilmington protrudes into the Cape Fear River—a steel and concrete industrial hulk seen by thousands of travelers crossing the Memorial Bridge daily. Flanking the port, abandoned, neglected land; old broken docks, sunken boats and tugs; rusted oil tanks and pipes, and a stinking sewer plant detract from Wilmington’s touted charm.

Upriver from the bridge, tourists, coveted by downtown interests, meander along the “Riverwalk,” gaze into the silt-laden river and listen to the constant traffic noise from the steel plates on the outdated drawbridge. We assume, smitten with downtown, they are oblivious to the blight and foreign commerce on most of the riverfront around Wilmington—extending for miles up and downriver.

Based on environmental activist’s and their follower’s views of, all should be offended—outraged—at the shipping, dredging and pollution displacing and disturbing sacred “wetlands” and “habitat.” However, in the 16 years I’ve lived on the Cape Fear River, there have been no campaigns or demonstrations condemning it.

Now, POW officials plan a port expansion—“there is momentum to build from,” writes reporter Patrick Gannon. Yet, won’t planned river dredging create water pollution downstream and destroy more “habitat”? Won’t more, bigger ships add to air pollution? Isn’t there an increased risk of oil spills (most result from shipping accidents worldwide)? How about planned paved areas, storage sites and “road improvements”? Won’t this development contribute to polluted runoff, so feared by environmental zealots?

Where is the N. C. Coastal Federation on this? Will they have activists picketing with “Stop the Ports Authority” signs? Will there be rallies to demand “answers”? Will we see letters and ads from doctors predicting accelerated child mortality? How can they tolerate the transport, unloading and storage of chemicals, scrap metal, animal feed, wood pulp and, god forbid, CEMENT on the “unspoiled” Cape Fear?

Will the Federation and “waterkeepers” hire the Southern Environmental Law Center and Duke lawyers to find a judge that will stall the permitting process?

We’ll see, but don’t expect any of that to happen. Environmental activists primarily target private businesses. The powerful state Ports Authority will get a political and press pass. The official hype: “The state benefits because it creates jobs and taxes.” Maybe, but that’s truer of private business ventures than of government projects.

 

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Thanks for blogging, Mr. Protzman. As you likely know, Carolinas Cement and parent company Titan America have followed the laws and the process for obtaining our permits to the letter, abiding by (and in fact, exceeding) what the State of North Carolina has required of us. Your have my assurance that we'll continue to follow all state, federal and local rules now, after our permits have been granted, during construction and in every other aspect of our business.

Regarding your other questions: The specifications for much of the equipment we'll use in the new plant must be detailed in our air permit.  Therefore, we need the approved permit to design the facility, order equipment (much of which has a long lead time), etc. 

Regarding the incentives: To qualify, we must satisfy all the requirements we agreed to, such as obtaining all permits, building the plant, providing 161 jobs,operating and paying more than 2 million in taxes. At that point, we would be eligible to pay $600,000 less in taxes for the next seven years.

Regarding your comment on bloggers to this site: I respect the fact that there are many points of view on this project.  I invite all reasonable questions and comments.  When answers are warranted, I try to attend to them as soon as I can.

I appreciate your concerns and I encourage you to write again with comments or if you need clarification on the Carolinas Cement project.

Very best,

Kate McClain

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Carolinas Cement Genereal Manager, Bob Odom, was interviewed on Donn Ansell's By-Lines Wilmington Sunday morning.  Bob did an admirable job clearing up some inaccuracies that have been in the media and in general discussion.  Here's a link to the You Tube post of the interview.

People often ask me what I believe to be the most misunderstood points regarding this project.  Bob and Donn discussed many of them.  Here are my big three based on my discussions with concerned citizens.

1.  The plant will spew huge quantities of toxic emissions into the air and water.  The truth:  This is not your grandfather's cement plant.  Carolinas Cement will operate a state-of-the-art system, using best-in-class technology for production and emissions control.  It will meet or exceed all state and federal regulations.  If you've done your homework you'll know that these regulations are enormously conservative and they're truly designed to protect human health and the environment.  Moreover, the proposed standards are considerably lower.  Once they are adopted, we will abide by the new standards.  

2.  New Hanover County paid Carolinas Cement $4.2 million dollars in incentive money to build the plant in Castle Hayne.  The truth:  We've received no money from the County or the State.   Nor do the Comissioners need to keep this money set aside in a cookie jar for us.  We agreed to a performance incentive.  So we have to make good on our promises to invest a half-billon bucks building the plant (which will keep 1,000 or so people gainfully employed for a couple of years).  Then we need to train and employ 161 employees and start operating.  Finally, as we begin paying about 2.2 in taxes we are eligible to get a $600,000 per year break for seven years. After that, we're back to paying the full tab again. Imagine how much benefit injecting a couple million bucks into the County coffers every year will do. This was an excellent,  forwarding-thinking decision on the part of the County and reason for the citizens and local merchants to celebrate.

3.  You've gone to great lengths to avoid going through SEPA.    The truth:  We followed the permitting process as outlined by the State of NC to the letter.  At no point did we try to get around SEPA.  We do acknowledge were was communication from us to the State clarifying what our obligations would be to satisfy the process.  Give us a break.  We were learning about how to go about getting all necessary permits and as responsible business people, we're entitled to ask questions.  I need to emphasize a couple of important and oft-misunderstood points.  We would have satisfied everything that SEPA called for through the EIS process we'll undergo with the Army Corps of Engineers. it was just a question of better timing for our project to get the air permit first, so we could begin designing the plant and ordering equipment.  Also, we have made it clear from the beginning that we would not begin construction until we had all required permits.

Titan America is a well-respected company with an excellent reputation.  We're well thought-of in the communities in which we do business.  In a world of commerce that's tainted by crooks and liers it's frankly difficult hear inaccurate and unfair accusations about a good company whose values and principles inform everything we do. We're anxious to answer questions and sort out misinformation that your common sense tells you is 'just too bad to be true."  Talk to us.

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If Stop Titan propagandists could make some reasonably coherent criticisms of Titan America and its plans for a cement plant in Castle Hayne, they might have some credibility, but they haven’t and they don’t. Another example showed up this week in a letter to the Wilmington Star-News.

Frederick Opper, M.D. railed about Titan’s legal appeal of a Wake County judge’s decision that it must undertake a state environmental review (SEPA) before getting an air quality permit. Dr. Opper wrote that the “sole purpose of SEPA is to protect our health and environment from polluting industries.” Not true. In this case, it’s a legal tool used by environmental activists solely to stall the plant project.

Opper cites the ridiculously misleading claim that the cement industry produces “over 140 dangerous toxins.” Technically, that claim could probably also be made of the pharmaceutical industry and the drugs Dr. Opper likely prescribes. But no reasonable person assumes “a threat to our entire county” because there is no evidence to support that claim.

Dr. Opper says “UNCW economics professors project that Titan will result in a net loss.” That unclear statement seems to assume that academics know more than the business owners who risk their resources on the venture. Further, decisions made by the company are none of Opper’s business–or, UNCW professors, for that matter.

Opper says the cement plant will make New Hanover “the most polluted county in the state.” More preposterous, “diseases will rise, property values will decline, and tourism will vanish.” These claims are so irrational I won’t attempt to rebut them.

Finally, Dr. Opper alludes to a comparison between the Carolinas Cement Co. plant and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Opper should stick to his medical field and leave the business of writing with mental clarity to others.

COMMENTS (4)	·	POST A COMMENT

Mr. Smith: What I would suggest you do is discontinue you personal attacks of anyone that opposes your ridiculous viewpoints. The State Environmental Policy Act was passed in 1971 by our General Assembly and is a tool used by over 15 other states in this country to ensure proper review of projects that use public funding, land or pose a significant environmental impact to a community. If one looks at "information" distributed by folks as yourself, Titan and Bob Warwicks group, anyone it is clearly evident who is distributing incorrect and misleading information. Give it a break and look at the law before you open your mouth.>
Anonymous



The fact that you need to personally attack one of the best physicians and family men in Wilmington just shows how desperate you are to continue to spread propoganda in your favor. If Titan was a great company there would be NO protesting by the community and they would open thier doors like any other business. It is PROVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT YOU ARE TOXIC AND THE RESIDENTS DONT WANT YOU HERE. We are already facing early life spans from toxins the last thing we need is more!!!!!!!>
Anonymous



With all due respect, Mr. Smith, I would like to respond to your post. I am member of the Wilmington community. For four or five generations, my family has been invested in the betterment of Wilmington as active residents, so you may trust that what I say comes from a person who cares about this community deeply. In high school and college, we are taught to think critically and closely read arguments. Your highly vitriolic post is a perfect candidate for critical review. Let me begin by challenge your assertion that the Stop Titan people are propagandists. The word “propaganda” implies generating misleading publicity. This is simply not the case. “Stop Titan people” are community members committed to improving our city so that it may reach its full potential as a healthy, vivacious, and prospering community. These men and women volunteer their valuable time to investigate Titan’s proposal. Their manner is scientific, objective, and selfless, unlike that of Titan. Please, sir, take a moment to put your emotional ties to Titan aside. Honestly and fairly look at the arguments our fellow citizens make against Titan. You might discover the coherence and rationality you previously overlooked because these qualities are there. You believe that the information associated with Stop Titan lacks credibility. Who would be more likely to skew the facts? A group of citizens concerned about our home and futures or a foreign company from Greece (Titan Cement) that is interested in turning a profit by using resources that belong to our community? Titan may commit to bettering our community, but it cannot do so without also polluting the air and water we all depend on for our health. Titan cannot bring the “economic benefits” it touts (read: paltry in amount and short-term) without worsening asthma of resident children or harming our ecologically productive and diverse natural habitats. Having a cement plant and mine is simply not worth the short and long-term costs associated with such an industry. Titan should not come here. Your attack on Dr. Opper is ill-conceived. If SEPA is just “a legal tool used by environmental activists solely to stall the plant project,” why was this legislation in place long before Titan was interested in Wilmington? Why do over fifteen other states in the US have this sort of environmental policy to protect the futures of Americans? I think your argument is on shaky grounds, sir. You, sir, assault a doctor who has dedicated his life to improving people’s health. You attack UNCW economics professors who we, as a state and community, have determined are competent and educated. We entrust them with the education of our sons and daughters. Who are better, impartial judges of the effects Titan will have on our community than academics, doctors, lawyers, and those trained to understand the environment and our natural resources? Titan cannot surpass their knowledge base. And for that matter, it is our business and civic duty to review Titan’s plan with a high-powered microscope! This is our community. These are our resources we are stupidly trying to give to Titan without significant benefit to this city. This is our environment (on which we base our tourist industry) that we must preserve for our children. This is our home that is irreplaceable, invaluable, and deserves our respect! If I were you, I would not put my eggs in the basket of a wily, polluting, self-interested company. Why not instead look at the trends of the future? Wilmington should work to attract clean, cutting edge industry and investments. We should be the Seattle of the South, the center of progress and smart growth. This is a path that should be taken if we are to continue to be an attractive and blossoming community for generations to come. Titan does not fit with this direction. In conclusion: When you insult the mental clarity of a doctor, you are yourself making a misguided judgment—doctors are trained to think clearly and objectively. When you tell a fellow citizen that he should not take interest in the future of our city, you are disrespecting the democratic ideals of our country. When you personally belittle your countrymen in a libelous and provocative manner, you simultaneously work to polarize our community at a critical stage in our development. A divided community cannot work together to coherently develop a future. It is not wise to incite hostility and ill-will when Wilmington needs unity and citizen involvement. For the sake of our community and our future, think critically about you views before you attack those of your fellow citizens. Come and help us work for a better Wilmington instead of supporting those who move it in the wrong direction. >
Josephine Warshauer



Dr. Opper has more integrity and intelligence than than the business people who are pushing for the ill conceived Titan plant. We should have more people like him and fewer trying to make a buck at the expense of our environment and health. >
Anonymous

Wanted to share Bob Smith's post.  It's reposted from Squall Lines, June 7th, 2010 at 2:56 PM.

The relentless pursuit by environmental activists against Titan America continues with litigation. They rally and rejoice in the decision by a Wake County court on May 3 to stall the proposed cement plant project in Castle Hayne, N. C.

Several troubling questions arise from the recent decision that came from the “Petition for Judicial Review” filed in Wake County, December 2009 by lawyers from two large environmental groups for the N. C. Coastal Federation, Cape Fear River Watch and PenderWatch & Conservancy. These activists were represented by two lawyers from the Chapel Hill office of the Southern Environmental Law Centerand Michelle B. Nowlin of the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic.

In the “Order” from the judicial review, the judge cites his authority to “reverse or modify the agency’s (N. C. Department of Administration) decision.” Legal precedents in this de novo (over again) review by the court authorized him to “freely substitute its own judgment for the agency’s.”

In November 2009, the DOA had issued a ruling that the state Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) did not apply to the proposed Carolina Cement plant. Clearly, the “Petitioners” have used this law to drag out the state government approval process for Carolinas Cement Co. So far, the company has waited two years for an air quality permit. Regardless, it must eventually go through a comprehensive environmental review.

Bottom line: Donald W. Stephens , Senior Resident Superior Court Judge “ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED” to deny a motion by the state Department of Environment and Natural Resource and the company to dismiss this case; reversed the DOA ruling; and forbade the DENR from taking any action on the proposed plant “without first complying with the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act.”

Could it be that this particular judge was chosen because the environmental lawyers determined that he would be sympathetic to their cause? And who are these people? Their life’s work–under the guise of “protecting the environment”–involves lobbying Congress to preserve more land; increasing their regional power with more offices and lawyers; litigation against state natural resources agencies; and attacks on land development businesses. According to their website, “Legal action is SELC’s most potent weapon.”

Why are these people fighting our state agencies, landowners and American business interests that use their own land to provide products that we all need?

In the Petition’s “Conclusion of Law,” the order states, “Petitioners are ‘persons aggrieved’ by DOA’s declaratory ruling and have standing to bring this Petition.” Just how are the Stop Titan people “aggrieved” and, thus “have standing” in this court? We know they are angry, agitated and adversarial, but aggrieved? Where is the evidence that anyone has been injured by anything done by Carolinas Cement people? The court showed no interest in this important question.

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Thanks for your calls and e-mails regarding our recent appeal.  Here is the statement we released today:

Officials at Titan America stated that on June 1, 2010 they filed an appeal in response to Judge Don Stephen’s recent ruling which was in favor of the application of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to the Carolinas Cement project.  Per company policy, Titan America does not discuss details of legal matters while actively involved.

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Here's a summary of the press release describing our recent awards.  Don't miss Bob Smith's comments in the following blog.

Roanoke Cement Company’s Winston-Salem terminal has been honored by North Carolina state and county government in two areas:  safety and air quality. The North Carolina Department of Labor and the County of Forsyth presented the respective awards to the cement terminals management this week. Yesterday, the North Carolina Department of Labor awarded the 1^st Year Gold Safety Award for an injury-free year at the terminal in 2009. The award ceremony was held at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC.

The North Carolina Department of Labor safety awards program recognizes private and public firms throughout the state that achieve and maintain outstanding safety records.

Sam Giles, Safety Manager for the Roanoke Cement Terminals, applied for the awards for the first time earlier this year. “This is fantastic news!” says Giles. “We met the requirements and finally the employees are getting recognition for their terrific performance.”To qualify for the North Carolina Annual Safety Awards, a firm must have no fatalities and have maintained an incidence rate at least 50 percent below the average for its particular industry group during the calendar year at the site.

Earlier this week, the County of Forsyth bestowed the Winston-Salem Terminal with the Air Quality Award for 2009 in recognition of consistent compliance with air quality standards in Forsyth County.  “During this time of increasing regulations and restrictions, we realize that always meeting the requirements of your permit necessitates commitment and we appreciate that commitment,” said Peter DeVries, Chairman of the Forsyth County Affairs Board, in a letter to the company with a certificate addressed by the County Commissioners and the Environmental Affairs Board of Forsyth County.

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To Mr. Smith and others, Before anyone gets too excited about the award received by Titan Roanoke for their terminal in Winston-Salem NC, please consider the facts. The Hobson Street Cement Terminal at 3651 Penn Ave. in Winston-Salem is for TRANSPORTATION ONLY! In other words, Titan neither mines limestone nor Manufactures Cement at this truck/rail terminal. All it does is help move the cement product that is manufactured in Virginia. And presumably, this terminal also helps move LIMESTONE that is mined elsewhere and brings it to Roanoke, since they do no mining at that location. If you look at the location on Google Earth, you'll see that it is located right on the industrial railroad which has been running through Winston-Salem for one hundred years.>
Tom Looney



Mr. Looney, Thank you for the response. Please note - this award marks the sixteenth year the Winston-Salem terminal has been honored by Forsythe County with the Air Quality Award. It's clearly an excellent reflection of Titan America's values, our operating principles, and the way we do business at all of our facilities. We're very proud of the considerable number of awards we've received for environmental excellence, safety, energy efficiencies and corporate responsibility. Also, you have incorrectly stated in more than one blog recently that Roanoke Cement does not mine its own limestone. In fact, RCC does quarry all the limestone it uses for cement production. I invite you to tour the plant to see for yourself. I think you'll be impressed by the pristine setting and the clean, efficient operations in Troutville. Thanks again for visiting the Carolinas Cement blog. Let us know if you have additional questions about our project.> > >
Kate McClain

Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens overturned a ruling that would have sped up construction of Titan's proposed cement facility and quarry in New Hanover County.

This comes as a blow to the upwards of 500 people that would have been employed by Titan America. Construction of the plant and quarry would have been an economic goldmine to the areas anemic construction industry.

According to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources website, there is already in place a forest's worth of over 50 separate links  to various rules, policies and regulations in regards to protection of the environment.

Titan had begun a federal environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in mid-2008 that would have fulfilled the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act  (SEPA), state and federal officials said.

But Titan suspended the process to pursue its air quality permit through the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In a statement issued by the company, "Titan America's officials followed the process the State of North Carolina required of us to the letter of the law. We find it regrettable that the guidelines set forth at the onset of this project regarding SEPA and NEPA are at cross purposes with the Judge's decision."

"We also believe this decision affects much more than the Titan project and sets an anti-industry precedent that could put future commerce of North Carolina at great risk."

Unrelated to both the Judge's ruling and the statement by Titan America, GOP congressional hopeful Ilario Pantano was quoted by the Fayetteville Observer that "The axis of evil, in my mind, is excessive taxation, excessive government regulation and excessive litigation."

Unemployment in New Hanover County has skyrocketed from 4.0% in April, 2008, to 10.5% in Jan, 2010. There is no sign of improvement on the horizon.

According to industry leader, The Portland Cement Association, the United States imported 11.5 million metric tons of cement. About 90.2% of cement imported came from five major countries. Number 1 being Communist China

 

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We've received many questions about the recent decision by Judge Donald Stephens regarding SEPA vs. NEPA.  Today we issued the following statement:

May 5, 2010

We at Titan America are disappointed in the Judge’s recent decision about the application of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to the Carolinas Cement project.    We’re evaluating next steps.

It’s important to note that the full environmental review the Judge is calling for would have been completed during the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as required by NEPA.  The EIS involves a comprehensive series of studies requiring approximately two years’ time.  Titan’s plan from the onset was to undertake the EIS after the Air Quality Permit was issued and before construction began.

 Titan America’s officials followed the process the State of North Carolina required of us to the letter of the law.  We find it regrettable that the guidelines set forth at the onset of this project regarding SEPA and NEPA are at cross purposes with the Judge’s decision.  We also believe this decision affects much more than the Titan project and sets an anti-industry precedent that could put future commerce of North Carolina at great risk. 

For additional information contact Bob Odom, Carolinas Cement Project Manager, at 910-799-2840

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Here is some optimistic news for the industry.  This article was published in the Seattle Daily Journal by Edward Sullivan, who is the chief economist for the Portland Cement Association.

________________________________________

The economy is recovering. Two quarters of strong GDP growth and the emergence of job creation in March reinforce this point.

Though the core fundamentals are clearly improving, growth has been temporarily amplified by transitory inventory adjustments and census hiring. During the second half of 2010, the transitory inventory will disappear, census hiring impacts will cease and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus impacts will fade.

Once these impacts diminish, the core fundamentals of the economy must be strong enough to feed a sustained growth recovery. Keep in mind, many of the factors that gave rise to the economic distress – namely, tight lending conditions, high foreclosure rates and weak job markets – will remain in play during the second half of 2010, albeit at diminished rates.

The combined impacts of reduced transitory economic stimulus and continuance of adverse financial conditions imply recovery in the U.S. construction markets is expected to take place in the slow economic growth during the second half of 2010 and continue through the first half of 2011.

Cement use to rise 

 Source: PCA  - Cement consumption is expected to pick up again after several years of declines, though nonresidential use may continue to lag till 2012.

The Portland Cement Association expects a modest 3 million to 5 million metric ton increase over severely depressed 2009 levels will materialize during 2010.

This small increase must be put into perspective. Peak-to-trough cement consumption declined 54 million metric tons from 2005 peak levels – the worst volume decline in history. The marginal increase in cement consumption will offer little relief from distressed industry operating conditions, including low kiln utilization rates, extended plant downtimes and high inventory levels.

The modest anticipated recovery in cement consumption expected this year is not expected to come from the private sector. Of the 54 million metric ton peak-to-trough decline, 38 million metric tons, or 60 percent, are accrued to reduced private-sector demand.

Nonresidential cement consumption is expected to decline 26 percent during 2010, accounting for roughly a 2.5 million metric ton drag on cement consumption. This decline follows a 49 percent decline in 2009 and a 22 percent decline in 2008.

The expected decline in nonresidential construction reflects depressed expected returns on investment, or ROI, for commercial properties as well as the difficulties in securing financing. These conditions are expected to remain in place through 2010. Once job growth materializes, the fundamentals facing nonresidential consumption will begin to improve.

Keep in mind, large inventory excesses among nonresidential properties must be burned off before a recovery materializes. This will delay an outright increase in nonresidential construction until 2012.

Housing flat

Residential construction has stabilized, but a substantive increase in building may be another year away. Homebuilders are unlikely to accelerate construction activity until two critical conditions are met: first, that the inventory of unsold new homes reflects no higher than a five-month supply, and second, that home prices rise or stabilize.

Both conditions are likely to be required to ensure an adequate ROI for homebuilders to spur an increase in building activity. Lacking either condition, a substantive recovery in home building will not materialize. Neither condition is in place now.

A reduction in new home inventories and stabilization in new home prices must occur in a near-term environment characterized by weak economic growth, high unemployment, likely increases in foreclosure activity, fire sale pricing of bank-possessed properties (which acts as a depressant on new home pricing) and the continuation of tight lending standards. Combined, this environment is hostile to any significant near-term improvement in the fundamentals that would lead to an increase in housing starts.

Public work leads the way

The 2010 recovery in cement consumption lays squarely on expectations for public construction activity. This is based on two assessments: the magnitude and composition of 2010 ARRA spending, and the adverse impact of state deficits on 2010 discretionary public construction activity.

PCA expects ARRA spending will increase during 2010. More of this spending is expected to be on major highway construction projects, compared with 2009’s emphasis on resurfacing activity. This implies that ARRA spending will carry higher cement intensities this year than last year.

State deficits are expected to worsen during 2010. States have cut discretionary construction spending since 2007. Dramatic reductions materialized in 2009, leaving little more to cut or postpone.

While discretionary state construction spending is expected to decline further during 2010, the drag on cement consumption will be much smaller than last year. Unlike 2009, the magnitude of the decline in state discretionary spending is not expected to be large enough to offset gains attributed to ARRA.

________________________________________

 

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Friends,

This news release just came to my attention.  I was eager to share it with you.

April 30, 2010 - SOMA associates Anish Ranpuria, MPH, CIH, Dennis Ertel, Jr., CIH, CSP, REM, and Nicole Blackman, performed a study and co-authored a report entitled, "Characterizing the Airborne Particulate in Portland Cement Plants." The report presents the outcomes of a sampling strategy and industrial hygiene study specifically designed to characterize the elemental composition and size distribution of dust found in Portland cement manufacturing plants with different processing methods.

The study found area dust measurements were well below existing Federal levels for respirable dust. Through the study, SOMA determined the dust in some operations within the plant could be characterized as primarily Portland cement, while there are other areas of the typical Portland cement plant where the dust cannot be characterized as Portland cement. SOMA additionally determined that the majority of the dust measured at Portland cement plants can be described as respirable with respect to particle size.

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has cited this study in the 2010 Documentation for the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Portland Cement. The report is currently available for download through the Portland Cement Association's bookstore. If you have any further questions regarding this study or our industrial hygiene services, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@somaonline.com.

 

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Hello!  I wanted to share this excerpt from our media release with you.  We're very proud of our cement plants and their continued successes!

Here it is:

Roanoke Cement Company was honored this week as a result of Environmental Manager Lance Clark’s submission to the 2010 Annual Cement Industry Energy and Environmental Awards. This is the third year in a row RCC has received recognition in this event. Clark’s submission was a Finalist in the Outreach Award Category and a Runner Up in the Energy Efficiency Category. The awards were presented by the Portland Cement Association, Cement Americas Magazine and an independent panel of judges. The Troutville plant will also receive a certificate of recognition for the activities described in Clark’s Energy and Environmental Award application.

“We’re thrilled that the PCA and the magazine have recognized our hard work and the energy saving techniques we’ve undertaken,” stated Clark. “We sincerely enjoy partnering with the Troutville community – it’s fun, really a pleasure, and we’re committed to continue reaching out - we enjoy our neighbors and we like being good neighbors.”

Roanoke Cement has been the recipient of a number of environmental, energy efficiency and safety awards during last couple of years, including the PCA Overall Environmental Excellent Award; The Virginia Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence; and an EPA Energy Star© Partnership. “We’re proud of the excellent recognition we’ve received; it’s positive affirmation that RCC is making steady progress,” said Kevin Baird, Roanoke Cement Plant Manager, “but an award is just a mile marker on the journey. We know we still have plenty of work to do. We believe in continuous improvement – and we’re always looking forward to the next phase.”

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A recent Raleigh News & Observer editorial, “Full airing,” may indicate innocent ignorance about Titan America’s two year battle defending itself against relentless attacks by environmental activists. Or is this deliberate support for subversive actions of these organized groups? Either way, it’s a disservice to readers. The “Stop Titan” movement here in Wilmington has now escalated to litigation in Raleigh.

The N & O editor says he is encouraged by a recent Wake Superior Court judge’s refusal to dismiss an environmental activist challenge to Titan America’s frustrating and long effort (he calls this “an early skirmish”) to get a state air quality permit. The judge says “he’d like to hear more.” Where has he been these past years? Everything about the company, it’s property, history and plans, has been said—pro and con—in workshops, rallies, news stories, editorials, websites, flyers and hearings. Why would a judge now come forward to demand a rehash, and start the process anew?

Many of us in Wilmington are disgusted by the tactics of organized environmental activists to stall permitting necessary for the company to start operations. The N. C. Coastal Federation (a front for several antidevelopment nonprofits) has been behind this early on; first instigating a public campaign to discredit the company; then by generating unfounded fears among residents about air and water pollution.

The latest tactic enlists a Southern Environmental Law Center lawyer to block a state permit in court. The N & O editor buys this diversion about a “comprehensive review…as environmentalists maintain.” Further, he spreads the unsubstantiated propaganda that the cement plant has “potential for seriously harmful environmental effects,” including the ridiculous comment that “mining the limestone would destroy productive wetlands.” By definition, wetlands are unproductive. Mining and processing the natural resources on unused company land would be a highly productive venture.

Activists call for a “comprehensive review” to sabotage company progress. Regardless of state permits, company officials will have to go through a prolonged, bureaucratic and expensive permitting process controlled by the U. S. Corps of Engineers under strict federal law. Further, they must meet draconian new federal EPA air quality rules.

The editor arrogantly concludes that if Titan’s plans can’t stand the “delay,” they should be “scrapped.” We might excuse editorial ignorance (or deliberate omissions), but did the N & O reporters miss something relevant to this case? Could it be that SELC lawyers searched and finally found a court to go along with their obvious strategy to obstruct the state permitting process and, thus, company plans to proceed with construction? Some sadly lacking investigative journalism could answer this question.

 

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Greetings!   I hope Wilmington will enjoy gorgeous weather for the 2010 Azalea Festival.

You may know that an article on the proposed Carolinas Cement plant appeared this week in the Wall Street Journal. Here's a link to the article. Don't miss the photograph of the very handsome and charming Bob Odom .

The article states that among the most vocal opponents to our project is a “fast-growing class of high-tech entrepreneurs and telecommuters who moved to Wilmington in recent years.”  I respect all hardworking North Carolinians, no matter where they practice their crafts.  But mindful that unemployment is at or close to 11%, it's very difficult to believe this segment of the workforce is representative of Wilmington's current and future employee profile. What percentage of us sees writing code in our slippers in our future?

In fact, what defines a high tech firm? Titan America employs a diverse group of highly skilled engineers and knowledge workers to operate our state-of-the-art facilities. And Wilmington needs a mix of jobs to truly thrive.

Our state-of-art facility will operate safely and responsibly, amidst scrutiny, audits, reports, regulations and monitoring from state, federal and local agencies.  We'll provide good, well-paying jobs, pay millions in taxes and a provide a boatload of spin-off opportunities for the greater Wilmington community.  We'll manufacture a product Americans depend on to keep them safe and connect them to their families, homes, schools, churches and yes, for most of us, our livliehoods.  Can our friends who have the luxury of working from a laptop at the kitchen counter make a similar claim? 

I'd like to know your thoughts on Mike Esterl's WJS article. Be safe and have fun this week-end!

 

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Dear Ms. McClain,

I was reading about the problems you are having getting your cement plant accepted by the residents of Wilmington, NC.  We don’t have a port, but we sure could use the jobs, so if things don’t work out for you in North Carolina please take a good look at the advantages of Licking County, OH (Newark, OH).  We are in the center of the state about 25 miles east of Columbus, OH with a good road and rail infrastructure.

If you have any questions you can contact me at the number below or Rob Klinger, Licking County Economic Development Director at 740-670-5212.

The Licking County website is www.lcounty.com.

Thank for your time.

Sincerely,

David W. Goll

DWG Consulting

www.dwgconsulting.com

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Hi Friends!

Thought you'd like this latest chapter in Titan America's book of energy saving efforts. While millions of people around the world recognized the fourth annual Earth Hour by customarily turning off lights and appliances in their homes and businesses for an hour, Roanoke Cement quietly switched off lighting on its pre-heater tower, a 400-foot signpost to the plant campus, i ndefinitely .

Lowering the illumination footprint is part of our aggressive goals to reduce energy consumption.  It also coincides with our partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy’s Energy Star® Program initiative. As you may know, the EPA has worked with businesses and organizations for more than a decade to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strategic energy management practices.

Kevin Baird, RCC's Plant Manager, follows the guiding energy principle that “the easiest way to save power is to not use it. In times of economic downturn, we must look to the low-hanging fruit, like automation and optimization, for efficiencies.” Kevin came across his conservation strategy through the plant’s four year affiliation with the Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, the principal Roanoke Valley organiza¬tion that tackles energy policy and environmental issues, when they point out the obvious answer to a basic question, “What can we turn off?”

Throughout Botetourt County, where RCC’s plant is located, residents have noticed that the night sky is a little darker and the stars are brighter. The former glow emanating from the Troutville plant no longer exists. Previously, almost 100 lights were visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway beyond Buchanan.

“We knew we would make the neighbors happy if we’d just shut the lights off at night,” said Kevin. The pre-heater tower now has just two prominent red lights to alert small aircraft flying in the area.

How's that for a bright idea!?

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Friends,

An important part of my job is communicating about the sustainable value of concrete.  Many people express surprise when they learn that concrete provides more solutions for sustainable development than any other building material .  In fact, it recently dawned on me that many people are confused about what the term "sustainability" actually means. 

I invite you to visit a relatively new, and very informative website that is being maintained by the Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative.  Here's a sample of what you'll read:

"We explore the sustainable value of concrete within four broad values: stewardship of natural resources; stewardship of financial resources; safety and stability; and aesthetics.

Concrete’s contribution to these values derives from its unique properties. It is strong and durable, resistant to deterioration and damage. It buffers temperature, and it can be colored and placed to do this in a way that works with passive solar energy to heat or cool spaces. It buffers sound, providing respite in a crowded, noisy world. It is versatile, allowing a large range of shapes, textures, and structural approaches to create the function, look, and feel appropriate to the project. It is also versatile in the flexibility of component materials, a quality which both extends the range of performance properties — insulation, permeability, and strength — and allows variation in the resources used to produce it."

Please visit the site and let me know your thoughts.  Meanwhile, have a safe and healthy week.

Kate

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More excellent news about Titan America.  Here's my recent press release:

NORFOLK, Va. – A resolution from the Commonwealth of Virginia commending Titan America LLC was approved last week by the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia. Joint House Resolution No. 186 (2010 Session) recognizes Titan America for a number of outstanding qualities, including exemplary leadership in clean manufacturing processes, energy efficiencies and safety; winning several 2009 environmental awards; fulfilling responsibilities as a designated EnergyStar Partner®; and excellent corporate citizenship.“We’re very proud of this. Safety, environmental excellence, conservation, energy efficiencies – they are top considerations in everything we do,” said Robert Sells, Titan America’s Mid-Atlantic Business Unit President. Sells continued, “The legislature of Virginia’s Commonwealth has shown much support for our industry and they’ve worked hard on our behalf – we appreciate that.”

The Resolution was presented to Titan America as “an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for the company’s many contributions to the economic growth and prosperity of the Commonwealth, leadership in environmental excellence, and best wishes for continued success in the future.”

Roanoke Cement, an EPA Energy Star® Partner, was the 2009 recipient of numerous environmental awards for energy efficiency and environmental stewardship, including the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, the PCA’s Award for Overall Environmental Excellent Award, the Roanoke Valley Cool Citizens Award and multiple safety awards. Additionally, Titan America’s parent company, Titan Cement Company, was recently voted one ofFortune Magazine’s Best Companies for Leaders and was recognized as a leader in corporate social responsibility.

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Thought you might enjoy this article by Edwin McCoy.  It originially appeared  in The Fincastle Herald . As you're probably aware, our Roanoke Cement Plant is located in Boutetourt County.

Botetourt County ranked among the healthiest places to live in Virginia, according to the first-ever nationwide County Health Rankings released last week by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

While Botetourt ranked 13th out of 132 localities in the Commonwealth for “Health Factors” that contribute to people’s good health as measured by the survey, the county was only 41st in “Health Outcomes,” which was still among the top one-third of Virginia localities.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute corroborated on the County Health Rankings that are designed to show how cities and counties within Virginia compare on many factors that influence health and provide a snapshot of residents’ health in each locality.

The purpose of the County Health Rankings is to compare counties and cities within states, so the report focuses on state-specific rankings and does not provide rankings among states.

“The health of a community depends on many factors, including individual behaviors, the quality of health care, education, jobs and the environment,” said Virginia Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP. “All of us–from public health to business leaders–have a role to play in raising awareness about the multiple influences on health.”

The County Health Rankings is based on a model of population health improvement in which health outcomes are the result of a set of health factors.

A county’s health was ranked on two sets of measures: health outcomes (length and quality of life) and health factors (health behaviors, access to and quality of clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment), according to a news release from the VDH.

“The Virginia Department of Health, working closely with our local health departments, the healthcare community, local governments and community partners, has tackled such issues as infant mortality and obesity, seeing great strides made in both areas. Just this past December, a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars took effect, protecting Virginians from the negative health affects of second-hand smoke,” said Remley. “We are inspired by these successes and spurred forward by the knowledge that there is much more to do. For communities to be healthy, each of us needs to take actions to improve our individual health as well as community level actions.”

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Reprinted from the Feb. 12 edition of the StarNews

The headline of your Feb. 7 editorial reads “Piecemeal reports … inadequate.” When our state-of-the-art operation opens on the site of the former Ideal Cement plant, it will have been through five or more years of scrutiny and will have satisfied rigorous requirements for a number of permits and licenses, each having to certify that the plant and its operations fall within the existing laws of the United States, North Carolina and New Hanover County.

This is an exhaustive, expensive, grueling process, the purpose of which is to ensure that nothing we do will subject the community to any identifiable risk. It is hardly inadequate.

Is it piecemeal? Every state in the nation follows this exact “piecemeal process,” as you call it, because it is the law – established in early 1970’s and tightened multiple times since then. In fact, the environmental community, including the Coastal Federation, sat at the table and agreed to every aspect of the current Federal and State legal and regulatory regime.

As we’ve stated many times, Carolinas Cement will meet the standards that are set down under the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. The duties as outlined in Federal Statute created by Congress and the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) are crystal clear. This is especially true as it relates to the responsibilities of the N.C. Division of Air Quality, which must dutifully carry out investigations and maintenance of those standards.

The claim that the project should be subject to SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) is specious and clearly a means of delaying job creation. Citizens of New Hanover County should resent that someone else’s agenda is being imposed on the rest of us. If it were the law in North Carolina, why did Sen. Boseman propose it as a law? And why did the Senate not vote for her measure? Because they believed it was against the interest of the state.

Speaking of “piecemeal reports” and SEPA, we’ve yet to see an accurate explanation from any media source regarding SEPA regulations. Please take note – if a project is in the considerably more comprehensive process of the Federal Government (NEPA) National Environmental Policy Act, as in Carolinas Cement’s case, then it is exempt from SEPA altogether.

I doubt that the Corp of Engineers would have stated that Federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Army Corps of Engineers “likely would have little impact on the final permits.” Armies of lawyers, scientists and agencies set and enforce the standards of both the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act in the sole interest of the public.

And again – these laws and regulations were supported by the very organizations now opposing this plant.

Your editorial states there’s confusion about the correct regulatory process and “ordinary residents … don’t trust regulatory agencies to establish and enforce adequate rules to protect the people.” This is a different, much larger question, requiring cool, non-inflammatory discussion with the U.S. Congress and what must be done to restore faith in our governments.

For our part, Titan America can deal only with the here and now, regulatory laws and facts that we must address in the permitting process.

We will invest nearly $500 million in a new, clean, safe plant – the only one in North Carolina. Our tax base will lower the property tax rate of every taxpayer in New Hanover County. We will provide good, well-paying jobs and all the spin-off benefits that come from a robust manufacturer. The construction alone will put more than a thousand local people to work.

Trustworthy and responsible? Titan America was the 2009 recipient of multiple awards for environmental excellence, energy efficiency and safety. Fortune Magazine voted Titan Group among the top ten companies in the world for Best Leaders; Titan Cement also achieved top ranking for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Last week we were honored again when the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia passed a resolution commending Titan America for, among many other things, exemplary leadership in clean manufacturing processes and energy efficiencies, socially responsible employees, and for contributing millions throughout the Commonwealth.

Efforts to discourage this plant or any manufacturing industry from building or expanding will negatively impact investment from coming to this region for a long time. It’s difficult to believe the state would deliberately do this to itself – and certainly not now. Jobs will go elsewhere. Unfortunately, the not-in-my-backyard protestors seem to be here to stay. We can assure you that Carolinas Cement will not pose an environmental hazard. We’re following the process – the only one that is law.

 

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Also wanted to share this - posted by Gary Pearce from the Speaking of Politics blog.

People who care about North Carolina’s economy are closely watching Governor Perdue on an issue that will say a lot about her leadership. It’s the proposed Titan concrete plant near Wilmington. 

Fans say Titan, based in Greece, is one of the best companies in the world, ranking high on corporate accountability, environmental responsibility and as a good place to work. The plant will employ 160-200 people at $70,000 a year. It will pay a lot of taxes. It will generate other jobs, like at the state port. And there will be construction jobs building the plant. But Titan is bogged down by environmental complaints. And opponents are trying to taint it by association with Mike Easley. 

Perdue’s Commerce Department supports the project. Commerce leaders worry that stopping the plant will send a bad signal to international companies — and hurt North Carolina when it tries to recruit other industries.  

But Perdue’s environmental officials apparently want to kill it. 

The governor’s job is to referee this dispute. She has to decide who is right. She has to lead. If she thinks the plant is unacceptable environmentally, she should say so. And if not, she should stand up and say we need the jobs. 

Right now, Perdue seems to be letting the project die slowly by a thousand cuts, hoping it will go away and spare her the burden of making a decision that makes somebody mad. 

North Carolina’s unemployment rate is at its highest level since the 1970s. Too often, people think we can get all the jobs we need from pristine companies like Dell and Apple. But you see how well that works out. 

America’s economy — and lots of jobs — has always been based on making things. Concrete is one of the things we need to make a lot of, especially for roads and other projects supported by federal stimulus money. And it would be cheaper to make the concrete here, rather than shipping it in. When Jim Hunt was governor, he had to make this call again and again. When a project satisfied the state’s environmental requirements, he would put everything he had behind getting the jobs for people. 

This is an important test for Perdue. She can either let things happen, or she can lead.

COMMENTS (5)	·	POST A COMMENT

Mr. Odom, Could you please provide data on the median income that can be expected for employees of Carolinas Cement? The US Census Bureau uses median income rather than average income when discussing wages. Median income provides a more accurate representation of salaries from one company to another. Per the investment advice company Investor Words (http://www.investorwords.com/3030/median.html): "The median is a useful number in cases where the distribution has very large extreme values which would otherwise skew the data". If you are using average rather than median salary figures you may inadvertently be confusing potential employees. Last year at one of the Titan forums I specifically asked one of the Roanoke Cement Human Resources representatives about this matter. He told me that their median salary was about $44,000/year - a nice salary but not in the range of the $75,000/year that you may inadvertently be promising. To clear the air on this subject could you please supply the expected median salary for Carolinas Cement? Could you also report the median salary both with and without benefits to avoid any additional potential confusion? Thank You >
Anonymous



Presently SAS in Raleigh is offering potential employees, with advanced engineering degrees, starting base salaries thousands of dollars less than what you appear to be promising the people of Castle Hayne. Likewise, General Electric in Wilmington is offering advanced engineering candidates employment positions with base salaries similar to SAS, but once again thousands of dollars less than what you appear to be promising to 160 employees at Carolina Cement. Could you please verify or explain what you are promising to pontential employees? If you do not have specific data based on many unknown variables at this time, could you please supply the number of workers at each of your Roanoke and Pennsuco plants who have base salaries equal to or above $75,000/year at this time? Thank you >
Anonymous



The $75,000 figure is accurate. It represents a fully-loaded compensation (salary , benefits, life insurance, etc.) for operations and support employees at our cement plant in Virginia. When the Carolinas Cement plant is built and we begin hiring, compensation will be based on local labor market pay rates for comparable skills.>
Bob Odom



Mr. Odom, I have asked a reasonable question concerning your promised salaries at Castle Hayne. You have elected to answer only part of my question. I am waiting for your reply to my question. Titan America promised to answer citizens questions as part of their agreement with New Hanover County. Since Titan America has declined to participate in open forums this venue is the only avenue open for inquiery from the general public. Thank you >
Citizen



Hello Citizen - I've provided the average salary figure and I've answered your question in the most accurate way I can. Regarding your comment about declining forum discussion - I beg to differ. When we announced this project we sponsored four well-attended informational workshops and invited the citizens of New Hanover County to attend and find out all about us. Since then, my Carolinas Cement colleagues and I have spoken before dozens of organizations and groups. We answer calls and e-mails from interested people (not just citizens of New Hanover County) on a regular basis. My colleagues and I work for a century-old, well-respected company in a highly regulated industry. We're accountable for what we say and do. And we do so without the luxury of anonymity and pen names, Citizen. >
Bob Odom

Wanted to share this letter with you. 

Regarding your Jan. 27 editorial "Cement site," I have spent much of my life working in cement plants and strongly disagree with the statement that cement production is a heavily polluting industry. On the contrary, it has become one of the environmentally cleanest. That happened decades ago when all U.S. plants installed expensive and elaborate pollution-control equipment, including electrostatic precipitators and bag houses that help to make them the cleanest in the world. All plants have, for many years, been routinely supervised and inspected by state and federal agencies.

There undoubtedly are other locations than Castle Hayne that Titan America could consider. But all of them, if they are to be in the U.S., will have to be in states other than North Carolina because every plant must have an adequate supply of limestone, and there is no other such deposit in this state.

If Titan America plans on 1.5 million tons per year, the plant would be no bigger than the Permanente plant near San Jose, Calif., the largest in the USA, that has been operating successfully and under close environmental supervision for over 60 years.

You correctly call cement a vital construction material. But refusing to produce it here would be one more indicator of the decline of this country. Cement has already been imported from countries like Mexico, Colombia, China and Turkey. Why continue this unfortunate trend? Not only would our foreign debt put us further in the hole, the imported cement is usually made in plants far less environmentally safe than our own plants. Air travels around the globe, and dirty air over a foreign cement plant is bound to end up everywhere anyway.

The prospect of jobs and a boost for the Wilmington economy are a serious matter. North Carolina, like the country as a whole, has to get back to work and produce things here.

Fred D. Ullman

Raleigh

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i want to jab in your company .i am pock leand machine opreter.>
yusuf khan



This is the type of answer that AT peoples do not want to see; the truth. Cement industry is one of the most closely regulated industries in the USA. Another in the closely regulated is the nuclear industry which has a member right in the tri county area, GE. They have been a good environmental neighbor for years and meet all of the environmental laws and rules put in place by our state and national governments. I think and have seen from my contact with Titan America subsidary plant in Botetort, Va that the proposed Carolina Cement plant in Castle Hayne would be a great corporate neighbor that would be very environmentally conscious and would be able to meet and happy to comply with the regulations set up by the state and national environmental government ruling departments. >
Milt Packard

I wanted to share Chris Mazzolini's blog, posted January 29:

Titan supporters respond to critics, StarNews article

by Chris Mazzolini

The Coalition for Economic Advancement, a Wilmington-based group that supports the Titan Americaopponents cement plant, shot back at the opponents of the controversial project in a letter to Gov. Beverly Perdue.

In the letter, the group’s chairman, Bob Warwick, responds to a letter the opponents sent to Perdue asking that she delay the project’s permits. They also respond to a recent StarNews article detailing a property deal between a company owned by the president of a Titan subsidiary and some high-profile Democratic fund-raisers currently under investigation by federal and state prosecutors.

Here’s Warwick’s complete response:

Dear Governor Perdue:

Now it’s official. Opposition to the proposed Carolinas Cement plant in Castle Hayne has turned into a witch hunt.

Opponents to Carolinas Cement have hijacked North Carolina’s economic development process. Buoyed by a media only too glad to fan the flames of discord, these opponents have succeeded in delaying a responsible, environmentally sensitive project that will produce much-needed jobs in southeastern North Carolina.

Residents of New Hanover County want Carolinas Cement to locate here. A vocal minority is opposed. And even though it goes against everything that this country and state stands for, the minority rules. They grab the headlines. They succeed in delaying a project that has met and exceeded all regulations needed to obtain permits to operate on a site that previously housed a cement plant and is zoned heavy industrial.

Instead of moving forward on this project, we’re fed a stream of conspiracy theories insinuating that Titan inappropriately curried favor with regulators (see January 23 Wilmington Star News). These claims are simply false. Using the same logic employed by opponents and the Southern Environmental Law Center, any project that applied for permits during former Governor Easley’s administration should have its permits denied or rescinded.

The actions of some members of Easley’s administration are deplorable. But so is slandering a highly respected corporate citizen like Titan America and depriving our state of much-needed jobs in what promises to be the cleanest cement manufacturing plant in the nation.

If this is allowed to continue, it will have a devastating effect on the future of North Carolina’s manufacturing economy. Few companies have the fortitude or money to withstand this type of vilification.

As chairman of the Coalition of Economic Advancement in New Hanover County, I ask you to take a stand for responsible economic development. Titan America has cooperated fully and transparently with North Carolina’s permitting process and has met all requirements. It has pledged to meet all future regulations as well. Titan deserves an opportunity to work here. And North Carolina deserves a reputation as a state that welcomes good corporate citizens like Titan America.

Sincerely,

Bob Warwick

Chairman, Coalition for Economic Advancement

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The Lumina News continues to gin up negative publicity about the proposed Carolinas Cement plant. In a January 14 article by reporter Brian Freskos, he claims that the new smog standards recently PROPOSED by the federal government have “opened another chapter in the debate of Titan America and its prospects in New Hanover County.” Opponents to the plant believe that these new PROPOSED standards should delay the NC Division of Air Quality’s granting of Carolina’s Cement air permit. Really?

Tom Mather of the NC Division of Air Quality, sees it differently. He defends the DAQ, saying the “federal government revises its standards so often that if the state held up a permit every time it would never issue any permits at all.”

But that’s what opponents want. Delay, delay, delay. No business is good business, according to the the Southern Environmental Law Group. “Right now, DAQ is ignoring the basis of these pending regulations,” Geoff Gisler, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Group (SELC), said in reference to the new federal standards. “Their approach has been to deal with it when the regulations are finalized and that’s not allowed under the Clean Air Act.”

I doubt the veracity of that statement. If you question the logic of SELC and hope to see a different perspective on this topic published in Lumina News, send them a letter to the editor. You can submit letters to letters@luminanews.com.

 

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I hope your holidays were safe and pleasant. 

I’d like to address a topic that I’m hearing a lot about lately.  It’s fairly complex so it’s easily misunderstood. It took me lots of reading, asking questions and acquainting myself with alphabet soup to understand it, so let me try to explain it as simply as possible.

What’s the difference between SEPA and NEPA?  Are we really avoiding the SEPA process?  North Carolina instituted the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) after the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was passed.  SEPA applies when a project meets specific state criteria.  The State of North Carolina determined that these criteria do not apply to the Carolinas Cement Company project.

But here’s what I think is the most important point.  Once we get our air permit, the CCC project is still required to undergo an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under NEPA.  The EIS involves a comprehensive, detailed set of environmental studies led and administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The NEPA EIS will address all those issues that would have been addressed by SEPA, had it applied.  The Corps actively pursues the input and review of state agencies as well as the public to ensure that all aspects are included in the NEPA EIS.

You might be interested in knowing that when SEPA is triggered in conjunction with a project that also is addressed by the Federal NEPA, the Federal EIS serves as the document for both programs. 

So, requiring the Carolinas Cement project to go through SEPA is a waste of time and tax payers’ dollars.  It will only delay construction of the plant, training and jobs, valuable productivity and revenue to New Hanover County.  In simplest terms, we do not have to go through SEPA because the law states that NEPA is adequate and covers more than SEPA.

Like I stated, this is fairly complex stuff.  But it's important to understand that we're not avoiding the SEPA process, as many of our opposers have accused.  Please call me if you need further clarification at 910-799-2840.

I wish you a safe and prosperous new year.

 

COMMENTS (2)	·	POST A COMMENT

Mr. Odum has it all wrong as usual. He states correctly that the NEPA document can serve as the SEPA document but then he states "So requiring the CCC project to go through SEPA is a waste of time and tax payers's dollars". This is not correct. The state does not have to do one thing but wait for the NEPA document so it will not cost the taxpayers one dime. the NEPA document will fullfill the SEPA requirements. In fact to allow a state agency, DAQ, to issue a permit prior to the full comprehensive review by the Corps of Engineers, which will include air impacts, could most likely result in a waste of taxpayers dollars. If issues are brought forth in the NEPA process that either negate or significantly alter the air issues the state may have to go through the air permit process for a second time expending taxpayers dollars twice. SEPA is a review process and not a permitting process. In order to fully evaluate the projects impacts the NEPA review must not be prejudiced by a premature state permit which might limit alternatives that must be considered by NEPA as mandated by federal law. As far as delaying the project, as a resident of this region I would prefer any delay in order to fully review and comprehend the health, environmental and community impacts this plant could pose to our way of life. Mr. Odum is speaking more of the company's money and his salary and job that community minded concerns.>
Anonymous



Odum works for a company that has operated in the USA for a number of years. With this as a lead in, you need to realize one thing if you know nothing else; as a company representative you are obligated, if not required to be full of fact and honesty as you are repsonsible for your company statements. If you are part of a non-profit group, you can tell as much or as little of the truth as you choose. You have nothing to loose, small truth or no truth can be passed off as your personal opinion. I am sure that "anonymous" would have a different viewpoint if a group of individuals went on protest against where "anon" worked or tried to make a living, if that were the case. >
Anti-Anonymous

I’ve spent the better part of my career working with ready-mixed concrete so I believe I know something about it. I believe the word sustainability means a lot more than just being “green.”  It means taking a big picture look at a project and balancing the economic and social benefits with the environmental benefits; in other words, it means planning for the long haul. 

You already know that concrete is attractive and durable, resistant to severe weather, water, fire and pests. I wanted to give you a few more reasons for you to love the stuff:

• Concrete is produced locally from abundant natural resources, so jobs, taxes and revenue remain in the community.  Think about it.  Asphalt is produced nearly entirely from imported products, including foreign oil.

• Ever wonder why they call it ready-mix?  It’s the one building material that is always produced in proximity to its use so it’s never transported very far.  That alone saves fuel requirements, energy consumption and emissions for transportation and handling. It’s also a made-to-order material, so there’s usually less building waste.

• It’s recycled coming and going.  Concrete can be made with reclaimed industrial materials that would otherwise burden the landfill.  Concrete structures last a long time, and at the end of their usable lives, they’re frequently recycled into something new!

• Concrete’s thermal mass reduces temperature swings in buildings and conserves energy. Since homes and buildings constructed with insulated concrete walls are not subject to large daily temperature fluctuations, owners can lower heating and cooling bills by up to 25 percent

• Pervious concrete is just an amazing product.  It percolates storm water into soil, recharging aquifers and preventing polluted runoff from overwhelming streams and lakes. Think of it as a industrial-strength coffee filter for your property.  It also eliminates the need for a retention pond.

• Concrete’s light color reduces the heat island effect, lowering urban energy use. It also reflects more light at night, so you need fewer lights on your property, reducing energy costs. 

• Did I mention reflecting light?  On a dark, rainy night, would you rather drive on a pitch black asphalt road or on rock-solid, reflecting concrete?

COMMENTS (3)	·	POST A COMMENT

when you transport cement away from your facility (by train right? And maybe trucks too?)....my question is...where does it go? Only in-state? Or out of state? Does it go by ship out of our local port?>
Anonymous



Approximately 65% of the out bound cement will go by rail to either direct customers or cement terminals. The remainder will either be shipped by truck or picked up by customers with their own cement tankers. We feel NC can handle all of our production. None is going overseas.>
Bob Odom



I was in a food store today that had a very nice, clean, polished concrete floor. This store had to meet the state regulations (law measures that were put in place by state law makers to make sure that no one could be injured or poisoned by the business) for a business to sell food. This state Permit was posted in the store next to the raw food/coffee bar. The store was not as proud of the state law that they had to have to be able to operate and stay open as they were of being part of STOP Titan, since they had this sign posted in their front window. I wonder if they realize what they would have to use as a building material for the floors and walls if they did not use cement as a component?? I guess it all depends on what type of hype that you choose to believe and what you have to have to make money......>
ANTI-Anonymous

Carolinas Cement, a subsidiary of Titan Cement is a much needed business addition for our area.  I understand some of the concerns that the many of the cement manufacturer opponents have. However, as I detailed in an earlier editorial, the company is a strong company that we could certainly use in this area and should welcome with open arms, at least from an economical perspective.  The incentives were not and are not a cash payment and will not be paid until Titan produces 2.2 million dollars of tax revenue.

Now, let us focus our attention on the environmental concerns that are continually expressed in our community.  In the air permit application that was filed in 2008 the potential to emit (PTE) mercury and other emissions (mercury being a major concern) was listed at 263 lbs per year.  Using this figure of 263 lbs per year as a starting place, Intertox, a leading toxicology firm, generated a peer review validated report that concluded that the risk of mercury exposure was minimal.

Okay, the test was done based on 263 lbs of PTE per year.  In April the EPA released the proposed regulations that allow only 14 lbs of PTE per 1million pounds of clinker. (clinker is the a preliminary state of particulate materials immediately before being chemically changed into cement by extreme heat) This equates to a proposal of about 30 lbs of PTE, well below the 263 lbs of PTE that Intertox used in its report.  So the new plant’s PTE could be 11% of the figure given to Intertox to create their report.   Richard C. Pleus, Ph. D. Director of Intertox said this, “Our study concludes that the total estimated dose of mercury a typical resident of Castle Hayne and the Greater Wilmington community could encounter is less than the concentration of mercury in 1-3/4 teaspoons of canned tuna fish per month.”  And Titan’s new plant, Carolinas Cement could be, if the new EPA proposals are approved, less than that by almost 90%.

What about water, well to answer that question, I traveled to Roanoke Cement to get some straight answers.  Roanoke Cement is a subsidiary of Titan Cement, located in Botetourt County,Virginia. This is what I learned.  A closed loop system is used whereby excess process and cooling water is stored and reused within the plant.  The only discharge would be in an excessive storm event, in which case some water could be discharged in accordance with the discharge permit, and amazingly, this water is cleaner than the water that is already in the Catawba creek.  Even the Virginia Forestry Service uses their helicopters to obtain water from the plants’ holding ponds to fight forest fires.

Another surprise was to learn that the water in their quarry pond is clean and possess sufficient water quality to participate in a program named ‘Trout in the Classroom’.  This program uses this pond to assist in Trout Unlimited’s goal of conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.  In other words the water is clean enough to allow environmentally sensitive trout fingerlings to be placed in their quarry pond.  It was comforting to see that there was no dust floating in the air during my visit due to at least three key environmentally driven functions. Number one, the roads through out the plant are watered down to keep dust from becoming airborne.  Secondly, a system known simply as a pre-heater tower has reduced the manufacturing process’s need from five stacks down to one while doubling production.  Lastly, they use what is called bag technology to keep any particulate matter from entering the environment.  This as I understand it is similar to the idea of a vacuum cleaner bag in a vacuum cleaner, with the key exception that it costs millions of dollars to implement.  These last two processes in particular allow potential pollutants to be recycled into the manufacturing process, thereby reducing the impact on the air and water.  This, it seems, is the actual and observable environmental science of the matter. By the way, in April of this year, Roanoke Cement was honored with the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for Land Conservation.

A local fourth generation dairy farmer, Jerry Henderson, that farms right up the road from the plant said to me ‘Titan is a good member (of the community) all around’.   I’m quite sure if Roanoke Cement’s manufacturing process was contaminating his livestock, he would have a completely different opinion.

I found an interesting observation in the book, Green Hell, by Steve Milloy, he quoted the UK’s Christopher Booker in a Daily Telegraph column where Booker said”‘ For 300 years science helped to turn Western civilisation into the richest and most comfortable the world has ever seen. Now it seems we have suddenly been plunged into a new age of superstition, where scientific evidence no longer counts for anything.’  This seems to be the case for many that are against the projected new cement plant in Castle Hayne.

Recently, I saw television commercials referring to a problem with drywall that was made with substandard environmental manufacturing codes in China.  This situation is causing major financial and environmental problems for builders and buyers of homes that utilized the contaminated drywall.  A few years ago when there was a shortage of cement, some cement was shipped in from countries that do not have the same standards that we have in the manufacturing of cement.  Are we willing to allow this opportunity to slip by and expose our area to the possibility of purchasing and shipping a substandard product that was produced with lower manufacturing standards?

Botetourt County Administrator, Jerry Burgess, spoke highly of the plant and went on to say ‘You will be involved with a company that has the financial wherewithal to do the environmental things that are necessary to have a clean efficient plant.’  Sounds to me like Carolinas Cement, a Titan Subsidiary, would be a good environmental neighbor.

COMMENTS (3)	·	POST A COMMENT

who is Tony McGee?? Citizen? Reporter? >
Anonymous



Tony is a local pastor. He currently has his own radio show on 93.7 on Saturday afternoon at 3:00. He took the time to visit the Roanoke plant to better enable him to form an opinion of our project.> >
Bob Odom



Sounds like McGhee decided to look at the details from both sides of the major issue of a new business locating to our county. Complete research on subject will always lead to truth and satisfaction.>
ANTI- Anonymous

Recently John Hood wrote at this site of his “mixed feelings about the proposed Titan Cement plant.” John said that attempts to “link the project’s government subsidies with its environmental permitting” troubles him. He cited a Lumina News article that described details of communications between company and government officials. The News writer used words such as “loophole,” “confidential” e-mails and “Titan lobbyist” to raise suspicions about the incentive deal. I don’t defend government incentive schemes, but, clearly, Titan officials want to avoid more construction delays. Why blame them for a legitimate self-interest?

I know that other people share John’s intermingled thoughts about this situation. Incidentally, the word mixed “suggests a combination of differing but not necessarily conflicting elements,” according to my American Heritage dictionary. Long ago, I resolved that the “incentives” issue does not conflict with the right of a company to use its private property without harassment by outside interests.

I’m sure that John and I agree about government-provided subsidies. Politicians entice companies to locate for self-serving reasons. It’s unfair and wrong. I have expressed my disdain with this political meddling many times. However, attempts to discredit the companies that accept these public offerings misdirect the disgrace. The proper targets are legislators who hatch up bad public policy and offer bribes.

Titan officials probably regret accepting political incentives because of the now known negatives. Cynical suspicions have been aroused in those who already mistrust our public officials. People suspect that something politically subversive has happened. And these feelings play into the hands of anti-development activists who try to damage Titan America with schemes to stall construction and cost the company money.

I think that the incentive issue has become a red herring. Why do company opponents want a “top-to-bottom” review using the State Environmental Review Act? It’s a ploy: “delaying Titan’s permits,” as explained in the Lumina News story. The company will endure an intense, lengthy and expensive federal environmental review. Why impose a redundant and costly state process?

And why single out Titan America for criticism about accepting incentives? Curiously, no group such as Stop Titan has emerged to prevent the government-subsidized film industry from operating here (Stop Hollywood?). Several other companies in Wilmington also enjoy public subsidies with no press or activist outrage. So, something else is intermingled in the Titan case.

That would be the all-out, persistent effort by activist groups to prevent a legitimate business from using its land to provide a beneficial product. Let’s not mix the issue of bad public policy with the right of Titan America to operate on its private property.

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Interesting that Mr. Smith (do you even reside in NHC?) points out that "...something else is intermingled in the Titan case." Well, unless you've been living under a rock somewhere in New Hanover County, you're also aware that this proposed cement plant will be situated within 3 miles of the largest elementary and middle school campus in the county. Not to mention the existing schools and neighborhoods within an uncomfortably close distance to this planned industrial complex. Here's another one for you: many of us who reside in the relatively pristine northern area of the county are concerned about the negative impact this industry will have on our home and property values. These are just 2 examples of citizen concerns that extend beyond the (negative) environmental impact this facility will have. Mr. Smith further states "That would be the all-out, persistent effort by activist groups to prevent a legitimate business from using its land to provide a beneficial product. Let’s not mix the issue of bad public policy with the right of Titan America to operate on its private property." If Titan's proposed operation does not come with significant (potential) impact on the public, then why undergo any type of environmental review/impact? If you've got a huge burn pile going on your (private) property, does that negate the right of your neighbors to take action when the smoke from your fire negatively impacts them? Titan is the same thing, but on a much larger and more toxic scale. Let's not continue to compare this proposed facility with Titan's Roanoke plant. It has been estimated that this plant, when/if built, will be the fourth largest cement plant in the US. Just Google the current top 5 and the surrounding areas/communities to see the impact this type of industry has. Roanoke is puny in comparison, and Carolinas/Titan Cement is deceptive in their insistence that the two are comparable. Further, the geography, topography, and indigenous flora/fauna in Castle Hayne are much more similar to those in proximity to Titan's Medley (FL) plant than to Roanoke. If you actually follow the news, you'll see the list of problems associated with the Medley Plant. As for poor public policy decisions, NHC has an unfortunate history of such. The decision made by our Board of Education to build the newest and largest elementary and middle schools adjacent to an area zoned for heavy industry, for example. Like it or not, however, these schools now exist, and Titan/Carolinas Cement should respect the concerns of the thousands of parents who do not want their children exposed to such a large, dangerous enterprise. Throwing $500 around in school grants is frankly quite offensive to most of us. >
A NHC Parent



As follow-up to my comment, interesting link from EPA: http://www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/broker?view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ0&sort=RE_TOLBY&sort_fmt=2&state=All+states&county=All+counties&chemical=N458&chemical=007439976&industry=3273&year=2006&tab_rpt=1&fld=RELLBY&fld=TSFDSP&_service=oiaa&_program=xp_tri.sasmacr.tristart.macro >
A NHC Parent

From our recent press release!

Norfolk, Va. – Titan Group, parent company of Titan America, was ranked number one in Europe and eighth in the world for 2009 in the prestigious “Top Company for Leaders" study, receiving a global distinction regarding the development of human capital and leadership competencies.

This ranking is the outcome of one of the most comprehensive studies of organizational leadership in the world, conducted by Hewitt Associates in partnership with The RBL Group - a strategic HR and leadership systems advisory firm - and Fortune magazine.

“Leadership is not generic and interchangeable” says Titan Cement CEO Dimitri Papalexopoulos. “We invest the effort to tailor our people-development practices to the competences we need as well as to our values and our desired leadership principles. It has often been said that a crisis is a terrible thing to waste. The current financial crisis can be viewed as an opportunity to enrich managers’ leadership skills”.

More than 500 global companies were surveyed this year in search of the top businesses at attracting, retaining, and nurturing talent. An expert panel of independent judges interviewed a number of Titan executives, including CEO Aris Papadopoulos and considered such specialized projects as the in-house Titan America Leadership (TAL) program. Winners were selected and ranked based on criteria including strength and depth of leadership practices, culture, examples of developing world class leaders, business performance and company reputation.

When analyzing the study results, one distinguishing characteristic was identified that sets “Top Companies for Leaders” apart from others. Even during the economic downturn, companies remained committed to building leadership capability within the organization, without losing focus.

The official announcement was made in the November 19, 2009 Fortune online publication. It will also be featured in the December issue.

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 From Squall Lines

A recent testy editorial about bureaucratic rules related to the proposed Titan America Carolinas Cement plant acknowledges the frustration business people and other citizens’ experience with government rules and restrictions. Usually, Star-News editorialists quietly tolerate or support government functions and ignore the insidiously destructive conditions they often impose on individual citizens and our economy.

Thus, I was surprised to read: “The slovenly pace of the federal regulator process leaves communities in the dark and costs businesses time and money.” Speaking of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s interference in the state permitting process for the cement plant (likely instigated by Stop Titan operatives), editors point out mixed messages, meddling and uncertainty during the long, drawn out multi-layered government processes.

EPA officials questioned the N. C. Division of Air Quality about issuing a permit before the fed agency knows what new restrictions it plans—sometime next June. I hope DAQ officials respectfully told EPA to mind its own business. The state must go by existing laws and standards, not future federal utopian hope and change.

I disagree with an editorial conclusion that this issue (“final regulations”) has divided people into pro-Titan and anti-Titan groups. Government had nothing to do with it. Actually, that conflict has occurred because organized environmental groups, such as N. C. Coastal Federation and its affiliates, have stirred up fear and anger toward Carolinas Cement among residents here using false and misleading information about the company and its plans.

 

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Friends,

I've heard some noise recently about a letter the EPA sent to the NC Department of Air Quality  regarding our draft air permit.  It's important you understand the context and purpose of said letter. It was not a "blistering critique" as one opponent reported.  It did contain observations and suggestions from the EPA - an agency entitled to make comments just like any other. 

In simplest language, the DAQ cannot issue a permit based on proposed regulations.  The EPA is currently wading through thousands of comments on the proposed regulation but the EPA's limits are finalized, those limits will automatically become the limits in our permit.

As always, we are adhering to the process.  Here's the thing you need to remember:  The new Carolinas Cement plant will comply with all limits and conditions in the final regulations - that is a given.  We will not be able to operate otherwise.  This is clearly stated in the draft permit and we've said it many times.

New regulations will be "self-implementing" and will automatically apply once they are finalized.  Therefore, pending regulations is no reason to not issue a permit.  The DMV does not stop issuing driver's licenses because they are thinking about changing the speed limit on the street in front of your house.

Believe me, there are plenty more hurdles for us to clear. For example, our new cement plant will still need to get a Title V operating permit which will incorporate any changes in regulations since the construction permit was issued.  This Title V operating permit will include any limits, conditions and monitoring requirements in the new final regulations.  The EPA and public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the Title V operating permit.

We appreciate the assurances and support we continue to get from the good citizens of New Hanover County.  It's important to me that you feel confident about our commitment to maintaining absolute integrity and adhering to the process.  Permitting a cement plant is a complex project.  As always, we encourage you to call or e-mail us with any questions at all. 

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Bob, The Portland Cement Association (PCA) is actively working to delay and weaken the new EPA emissions standards for cement kilns. Titan America is a board member of PCA. Are you saying that Carolinas Cement accepts and will totally comply with the new EPA regulations and monitoring requirements as presently written without modification?>
Anonymous



As I'm sure you realize, no facility can be permitted on proposed regulations. This is true in the cement industry and I would imagine other highly regulated industries, as well. It's anyone's guess when the EPA will decide on the new guideines. It might be early in 2010 but it might take longer. We've still got plenty to do before we can even begin construction. But as we've stated many times, we'll adhere to all final regulations as required for a new plant.>
Bob



Thanks for the update. People who are sure about Carolinas Cement twisting government regulations must have had prior expierence at this task to know so much about what they think is being done..... >
Milt Packard



Bob, To clarify my question: Will Carolinas Cement agree to adhere to the new EPA Cement Kiln regulations as presently written? >
Anonymous



We will comply with the EPA guidelines that are in effect at time the plant opens.>
bob odom

We arrived early, expecting to jostle for position with large numbers of Stop Titan activists anxious to speak against the Carolinas Cement Company’s plan to rebuild at a former cement plant site north of Wilmington. My friend Jack Palmieri wanted to speak about what he saw on a trip to the Roanoke Cement operation at Troutville, Virginia near Roanoke.

In August Jack and I drove to the plant in Virginia, at the invitation of Bob Odom, manager for Carolinas Cement. We were amazed to find the site nestled in a lovely valley near the Blue Ridge Mountains. We joined a small group from Wilmington and spent parts of two days touring the limestone mine and cement plant with company staff. Also, we were provided the opportunity to talk freely with company managers, local officials and residents.

Jack had signed up for a three-minute talk according to the N. C. Division of Air Quality rules for their public hearing held at the Cape Fear Community College North Campus on Tuesday, October 20. When we were seated in the auditorium filled with hundreds of people, a DAQ official announced he would allow each speaker only two minutes.

While many speakers “ranged far and wide” on the air quality topic, Jack stuck to the subject: no smoke, no dust, and no pollution at Roanoke. Unfortunately, he was cut off before making his final point. We had observed that the company carefully and continually monitors all aspects of its operations—including air pollution.

Many opponents at the hearing wore red clothing (we wore large buttons provided by the company with: “Welcome—Carolinas Cement Company”). Some carried signs of protest. Several opponents made wild accusations and bizarre predictions about pollution and environmental destruction. A few used children as props to promote unfounded scares about imagined health problems. Rude, disruptive shouts followed the most emotionally charged attacks on the company.

These tactics got press attention, but they likely did no good for the cause of those who hope to abort the permitting process and, ultimately, stop plant operations. Some of the professional environmental activists, sponsored by the N. C. Coastal Federation, took the risky step to accuse state regulators of dereliction of their responsibilities. On the other side, Carolinas Cement people cooperate fully with every agency request, patiently wait for decisions and try to counter their attackers.

It’s difficult to believe that irrational-, hysterical-based arguments could prevail over those backed by evidence and facts. But, who knows? There’s a lot of the former infecting some people in our society these days.

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I toured the Troutville, Va plant last year and found the area that surrounded the plant to be clean and un-affected by the 24-7 operation of the cement plant. The plant sits at the top of the valley that borders the Appilachin Trail and has a number of farms, residential developments and a school bordering it down the valley. The plant has a very good safety policy, employees who took plant and work safety as a very serious matter. They were community minded and what I would consider GREAT environmental stewards. Plant employees told me of their cleanup activities, I was happy to see that they spent their own time at these efforts. The goal for any industrial plant that has to meet an EPA or state emission permit is to be WELL under the permitted level. The plant has a sound monitoring sytem to assure that emission levels are tracked and at the expected amount for the materials in the process. These are some of the reasons that I have no doubt that the new plant that is projected for Castle Hayne will be the best or one of the best in the country. Titan is serious about safety, the environment and being a sucessful company. The only way to do this is to have the plant and quarry meet or be well under permitted emission levels that are mandated by state and government, have a zero accident policy and have content, happy employees who are active in the community. If you have any doubts about this, you have not ever worked in a serious, profitable industrial plant, quarry or mining operation. >
Milt Packard



interestion that the pro titan people did not discuss science, air quality, toxicology ...just proposed economic development at an air quality hearing>
Anonymous



Science and environmental regulations are covered in the permit application. The idea is to be at or below the permitted levels for all elements and affluents covered in the permit. Anonymous,just because you may have the freedom to drink as much you want, do you always drive your vehicle after? I would bet and hope that you abide by or do not come close to the law limiting consumption. The same applies to any major business, it is always best to be below your permitted level and it is the company's environmental control department job to make sure this happens. >
Milt Packard

Reprinted from John Locke Squall Lines

Our press, predictably with no skepticism (and little balance) on environmental subjects, will be “reporting on the impact, future and responses to climate change.” A series of stories will lead up to the big climate confab held in Copenhagen in December, according to a Wilmington Star-News editor (www.starnewsonline.com). There we can assume that politicians and activists will decide our economic fate based on their fear-du-jour.

In the first of “an occasional series,” we should be frightened that “Ice melt is threatening major cities faster than had been projected,” (I couldn’t find a link to this Star-News October 19 front page story) despite many other ignored scientific and cultural reasons for potential negative impacts of rising seas (e.g. tectonic subsidence and increasing coastal development). Some people may be “vulnerable” from presumed higher water along coastal areas.

“N. C. EXTREMELY VULNERABLE”

Reporter Gareth McGrath wrote under this headline about the coastal North Carolina sea-level. Similar to other places in the world (in which levels are highly variable), our ocean has risen a “tenth of an inch, average in recent years.” A John Locke Foundation (www.johnlocke.org) policy report (A North Carolina Citizen’s Guide to Global Warming, Joel Schwartz, 2007, p.7) confirms this based on measurements at Wilmington for 1936-2005. “Average sea level has risen only about 5 or 6 inches during the 70-year period.”

McGrath also offers another profound truth: no one knows “how fast the seas will rise.” Independent research shows that there has been no significant amount of acceleration in sea-level rise since 1900 (Nature, Not Human Activity, Rules the Climate, Science and Environmental Policy Project, Fred Singer, 2008. The Heartland Institute. www.heartland.org). Furthermore, the JLF report shows that sea levels here rise and fall as much as 10 inches in a decade. The Atlantic could drop down 10 inches.

Incidentally, McGrath cites an East Carolina University geologist, “the state’s guru on sea-level rise,” who predicts “waters rising potentially twice as fast” as a United Nations report—an average 2-foot rise by 2100. Predictions aren’t evidence. Flawed climate models are used to predict the unknown because evidence does not exist.

The melting-glaciers theory is hypothetical. In a study of 246 glaciers worldwide from 1946 to 1995, there was “an overall balance between those that are losing ice, gaining ice, and remaining in equilibrium,” reports the Heartland Institute.

A lot can happen in nature in the next 90 years. I predict we might be in for another ice-age.

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Dear supporters,

On behalf of the Carolinas Cement team, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming out to support us during Tuesday's Public Hearing.  We realize it was a significant investment of time and energy for many of you.  Whether you traveled from across the street or across the state, it was very gratifying to witness the growing sea of white shirts and hear all the good things you had to say about Titan America, our employees and our Carolinas Cement initiative.

It's always difficult to hear negative things from the opposition, particularly when they're distorted, exaggerated or just plain untrue, But for myself, I'm taking it as a call to action.  It's important for our team to know that certain things about this project and the cement industry in general are still unclear. Over the next few days we'll be working up a new fact sheet that addresses the points we heard raised most frequently on Tuesday. I hope it will provide some clarity and dispel some myths.

If you haven't already done so, please click on the big yellow button on the homepage of this site and let Governor Perdue, officials at the NC Department of Air Quality and other key stakeholders know that you support the expedient issuance of our air permit. 

We're excited about Carolinas Cement and we're anxious to continue with the process.  We also love to talk about it, so contact us with questions or if you'd like us to make a presentation to a group of organization.

Your efforts to support us are appreciated and welcomed.  Thank you again, dear friends.

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The public hearing for our air permit is scheduled for October 20 at the North Branch of Cape Fear Community College.  The address is 4500 Blue Clay Road in Castle Hayne.  There are two sessions - from 2:00 - 5:00 and from 6:30 - 9:00.  Please join us and voice your support for our project.  We'll look forward to seeing you there!

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From the media release issued September 11, 2009

Carolinas Cement Company announced today that the Division of Air Quality of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued a draft air quality permit to parent company Titan America to construct a cement plant in Castle Hayne. The issuance of the draft permit comes after an 18-month technical review of the proposed facility to ensure it will comply with North Carolina’s air quality regulations and standards.

 The federal Clean Air Act requires the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) to accept public comments after the issuance of a draft air permit. The DAQ has scheduled two public hearings to take place on Tuesday, October 20 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Cape Fear Community College North Campus at 4500 Blue Clay Road in Castle Hayne. Individuals may present comments of three minutes or less. Following a review of all oral and written comments, the DAQ will make a final determination on the air quality permit application in accordance with the rules established by the NC Environmental Management Commission.

“Carolinas Cement is committed to constructing one of the safest and most advanced cement plants in the United States,” said Bob Odom, Project Manager for Carolinas Cement. “Titan America has a long tradition of being an environmentally sensitive neighbor, as evidenced by the many environmental honors awarded to our

plants in Virginia and Florida. We will continue that tradition in North Carolina. We have already invested significant resources to evaluate new mitigation technologies to implement at the Castle Hayne plant and to measure the potential effect of emissions to ensure public safety. We look forward to the public hearing and proceeding through the regulatory process to bring new jobs to Wilmington.”

Before Carolinas Cement can begin construction on the plant, it must secure two primary permits: the air quality permit from the state and a Wetlands Mitigation permit from federal Corps of Engineers (COE). The Wetlands Mitigation permit is an 18-24 month process led by the Corps of Engineers and requires Carolinas Cement to have an independent third party conduct studies of potential impact to numerous ecological and social factors, such as water, aquifers, traffic and flora and fauna.

According to Odom, when Carolinas Cement reaches full operations the estimated annual fiscal impact to New Hanover County will exceed $120 million. Carolinas Cement will create 161 permanent, full-time jobs and 1,000 construction jobs during its two-year construction phase.

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Carolinas Cement, a subsidiary of Titan Cement is a much needed business addition for our area. I understand some of the concerns that the many of the cement manufacturer opponents have. However, as I detailed in an earlier editorial, the company is a strong company that we could certainly use in this area and should welcome with open arms, at least from an economical perspective. The incentives were not and are not a cash payment and will not be paid until Titan produces 2.2 million dollars of tax revenue.

Now, let us focus our attention on the environmental concerns that are continually expressed in our community. In the air permit application that was filed in 2008 the potential to emit (PTE) mercury and other emissions (mercury being a major concern) was listed at 263 lbs per year. Using this figure of 263 lbs per year as a starting place, Intertox, a leading toxicology firm, generated a peer review validated report that concluded that the risk of mercury exposure was minimal.

Okay, the test was done based on 263 lbs of PTE per year. In April the EPA released the proposed regulations that allow only 14 lbs of PTE per 1million pounds of clinker. (clinker is the a preliminary state of particulate materials immediately before being chemically changed into cement by extreme heat) This equates to a proposal of about 30 lbs of PTE, well below the 263 lbs of PTE that Intertox used in its report. So the new plant’s PTE could be 11% of the figure given to Intertox to create their report.

Richard C. Pleus, Ph. D. Director of Intertox said this, “Our study concludes that the total estimated dose of mercury a typical resident of Castle Hayne and the Greater Wilmington community could encounter is less than the concentration of mercury in 1-3/4 teaspoons of canned tuna fish per month.” And Titan’s new plant, Carolinas Cement could be, if the new EPA proposals are approved, less than that by almost 90%.

What about water, well to answer that question, I traveled to Roanoke Cement to get some straight answers. Roanoke Cement is a subsidiary of Titan Cement, located in Botetourt County, Virginia. This is what I learned. A closed loop system is used whereby excess process and cooling water is stored and reused within the plant.  The only discharge would be in an excessive storm event, in which case some water could be discharged in accordance with the discharge permit, and amazingly, this water is cleaner than the water that is already in the Catawba creek.  Even the Virginia Forestry Service uses their helicopters to obtain water from the plants’ holding ponds to fight forest fires.

Another surprise was to learn that the water in their quarry pond is clean and possess sufficient water quality to participate in a program named ‘Trout in the Classroom’. This program uses this pond to assist in Trout Unlimited’s goal of conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. In other words the water is clean enough to allow environmentally sensitive trout fingerlings to be placed in their quarry pond. It was comforting to see that there was no dust floating in the air during my visit due to at least three key environmentally driven functions. Number one, the roads through out the plant are watered down to keep dust from becoming airborne.

Secondly, a system known simply as a pre-heater tower has reduced the manufacturing process’s need from five stacks down to one while doubling production. Lastly, they use what is called bag technology to keep any particulate matter from entering the environment. This as I understand it is similar to the idea of a vacuum cleaner bag in a vacuum cleaner, with the key exception that it costs millions of dollars to implement.

These last two processes in particular allow potential pollutants to be recycled into the manufacturing process, thereby reducing the impact on the air and water. This, it seems, is the actual and observable environmental science of the matter. By the way, in April of this year, Roanoke Cement was honored with the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for Land Conservation.

A local fourth generation dairy farmer, Jerry Henderson, that farms right up the road from the plant said to me ‘Titan is a good member (of the community) all around’. I’m quite sure if Roanoke Cement’s manufacturing process was contaminating his livestock, he would have a completely different opinion.

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The ultimate and potentially damaging weapon environmental groups wield against their chosen business enemies is litigation. Local opponents of the Carolina Cement Company “will likely challenge the project in court,” according to a Wilmington Star-News article. The threat lurks in a cabal of environmental organizations linked together in a massive web where teams of trial lawyers spin lawsuits.

In this case, the North Carolina Coastal Federation (www.nccoast.org) is listed as a “partner” group and links to the Southern Environmental Law Center website (www.southernenvironment.org). The SELC and the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic (www.law.duke.edu/envlawpolicy) tried to influence the state permitting process of Carolina Cement. They “urged regulators to delay issuing an air-quality permit” based on a “mercury threat.” SELC has assigned one of a dozen staff attorneys located in Chapel Hill, N. C. to this case.

The huge environmental web is difficult to weave through. One connecting strand to Stop Titan is a group called Waterkeeper Alliance. According to www.ActivistCash.com, groups such as this one often have innocent-sounding names but are “financial Goliaths.” These “nonprofits” get millions of dollars from left-wing foundations, large corporations, and wealthy individual donors. Worse, they are funded by government agencies. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency gives grants to the Alliance—to help support more than 20 lawyers who continually scheme to sue American companies and industries.

This vast web uses “junk science, intimidation tactics, and even threats of violence to push their radical agenda,” according to the Activist Cash website.

The Waterkeeper Alliance is run by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from New York. It functions together with the “Riverkeeper” program and the Pace University Environmental Law Clinic. This eco-conglomerate has a team of lawyers recruited from 15 national law firms. They each chip in money to sweeten-the-pot that may eventually be worth billions to them.

The Waterkeeper spider nest has “declared war on America’s pork industry.” So far they have not been successful. While lawyers still count money they coerced from Big Tobacco, Kennedy has visions of a $9-13 billion scam from agri-business. The more you look, the more expansive the web becomes.

  The Alliance has connections with several other groups, including Environmental Media Services, a communications arm of the “leftist public relations firm,” Fenton Communications. They feed sensationalized stories to media for profit and to help prop up the credibility of nonprofits. 

  In 2001 the Sierra Club became a full partner in litigation against hog farmers and the pork industry. The Club joined the Alliance in 2003 to sue the U. S. EPA to “enact crushing new regulations on modern livestock farmers.”

The Waterkeeper Alliance has licensed “coastkeepers” to meddle in legitimate business activities along the coast. The self-serving “keepers” survey “environmental health” of assigned areas, “alert the public to potential hazards” and “expose those who contribute in any way” to so-called “degradation.” These nonprofit groups do not serve the public interest. We have more than enough state and federal laws, restrictions, rules, and monitoring by official agencies to protect us from environmental hazards.

Joel Bourne, a Stop Titan organizer, says he wants to get the regulators’ attention in court. He’ll have plenty of help from the environmental legal web. But having access to money and lawyers does not decide right from wrong—Stop Titan seems to be deeply tangled in that sticky web.

 

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I've worked for Carolinas Cement's parent company, Titan America, for three and a half years.  Among the many things I admire about my company is its strict adherence to our Core Values.  I invite you to review them on our website.  Indeed, Titan Cement has done right thing for more than 100 years - and the tradition continues. 

Earlier this week, a widow living in one of our Norfolk, Virginia neighborhood was scammed.  Some scuzz ball came to her door and promised to repair her driveway for $1,500 and well, you know the rest of the story.   The creep left a load of rocks and a phony receipt and that was the last she saw of him.  You can read the details in the August 27 edition of the Virginian-Pilot . 

A couple of our employees found out about her misfortune and escalated it to their manager . Within a day, Titan had built the lady a new driveway. One of our vendors supplied a dumpster to haul away debris.  And one of our competitors even gave the lady a check to refund her money. 

This is just one act of random kindness; they happen on a daily basis at Titan. As the Communications gal I'm privileged to learn about a lot of them.  I'm also on the front line to read and hear criticism and ugly,bald-faced lies about us from the misinformed Wilmington activists. It's frustrating and unfair. 

I chose to blog about this instance for a couple of reasons.  Mainly, I sincerely consider it a prilivege to work for a company with a deeply-rooted sense of true North. Sometimes it feels as though Titan is the exception instead of the norm - believe me, I've worked for the other kind, too.  I'm deeply respectful of my senior management who built a business based on honest and ethical dealings; likewise, I'm proud of my colleagues who continue the tradition.  Another reason is earlier this summer my own mom was a victim of a similar scam. She's a frugal, careful and smart woman who's not easily duped.  But she got taken in by a predator of the elderly and it sickens me to see how much it hurt and humiliated her. It happened in a different part of the country where there was no Titan America to come to her aid.

Building a lady a driveway doesn't change the world and it probably won't shake our nay-sayers out of their negativity.  But it sure means the world to one struggling widow.  And it's just one excellent example of what this company is really about and the quality of people who work for it.

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I have a question. Why do some people here want to prevent a large international, American run, manufacturing company from building a new plant here? Various other companies have been welcomed, but some hostility has been expressed toward another. Well, we all have our biases, but let’s look at this case. Corporate character and records show that people in this company:

• create a product important to all of us, using local natural resources.


• supply the product to regional American customers, thus, reducing the need for foreign imports.


• are virtually obsessed with occupational health and safety.


• have a strong and sincere “corporate social responsibility.”


• partner with local environmental organizations to conserve energy, improve wildlife habitat and provide outdoor recreation on its property.


• have received numerous state and federal environmental awards for air and water quality.


• are committed to meet or exceed all regulatory standards imposed by government agencies.


• willingly spend whatever is necessary to improve production efficiency and reduce negative environmental impacts.


• plan long-term operations with constant improvements using updated technology.


• manufacture the product in a closed system called a “bag house” (similar to a home vacuum cleaner) with virtually no observable emissions.


• contain all runoff water at the site.


• temporarily pump excess water from the site that is cleaner than that in receiving rivers and streams.


• recycle normally unusable materials back into the manufacturing process.


• maintain a dust-free outdoor environment. 


•  intend to invest $400 million in a new plant, better than any older one of its kind.


• will pay out more than $18 million annually to hired labor and local contractors.

Compare this positive information with the negativity and fear spread by the Stop Titan organization. The above is verifiable from observations of current operations; company history and plans; technical reports; and testimony from people who have had experience with this company.

For skeptics, a trip to the Roanoke Cement plant in Virginia would be a valuable learning experience. For activists who choose to attack the Titan America business, don’t waste the valuable time of its people.

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From Squall Lines



It was reported that you were a bit “bewildered” about the crowd that showed up in Raleigh “intended to oppose” HB-1410; your bill to “bring more public scrutiny to industrial recruitment.” We might applaud your assumed good intentions, but there are at least three reasons why this opposition does not surprise me:

1) Your collaboration with Sen. Julia Boseman, D-New Hanover who has sided with the Stop Titan gang to stall the permiting process for Carolinas Cement Company. Although you said “This is not aimed at Titan,” the proposed legislation is suspect in that case.

2) Closing “a loophole in state law” is also suspect. When we hear politicians propose this it’s likely to result in more restrictive rules that will be imposed by government on citizens and businesses. If, as you say, “the last thing I want to do is harm our ability to attract new business to the state, then, don’t do it. Even in the opinions of some state agency representatives your bill “could effectively shut down all future economic development prospecting.”

3) Environmental lobbies, I suspect, are behind this. They have a devious history of using our elected officials to do their bidding–usually not in the public interest. Also suspicious is your concern that if this bill fails there are “deeper reaching implications.” They are, according to your comment, allowing the State Environmental Protection Act to be “challenged.” Maybe it’s time that SEPA should be exposed to scrutiny. Does it really serve the public interest, or is it a tool of environmental activists used for their self-serving purposes?

Instead of trying to “tweak” public policy “a little bit,” you should spend a lot of time and energy in reducing government regulations and preventing the waste of our money on “incentives” that favor some businesses over others

 

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I was talking to someone the other day and they said that we should never pay a company an incentive to come here.  As I pondered their position, I had to ask myself; Why not?  If that is what the competition is doing and if that company’s presence could have long term economic benefit to this area, why should we eliminate ourselves from this opportunity?

 First of all, to resist the current arrangement with Titan Cement based on an anti-cash incentive stems from a misunderstanding of the incentive package.  The incentive, is in fact performance based.  Titan first has to generate a minimum of 2.2 million dollars of tax revenue the first year the plant is operational to receive six hundred thousand dollars.  The tax rebate is tied to their performance.  This must be done for seven years during the first seven years of operation.  In other words, they must build this 500 million dollar state of the art cement plant, and then generate enough business revenue to be able to pay the county at least 2.2 million in taxes before they can receive the rebate. 

 In addition, 800 contracting jobs will be created during the two year construction phase.  With the economy in the shape that it is in now, New Hanover County could use these jobs.  The unemployment rate in North Carolina is above 11%.  It is also my understanding that 161 full time jobs will be created to staff the plant with an average salary of 75,000.  That is over 12 million dollars in salaries.  It is only reasonable to expect some measure of tax revenue from the impact of those salaries.

 Some would say that we need only green companies.  Well, that certainly sounds good.  However, all necessary industry in a viable economy by definition cannot be green.  Non-green companies are still necessary.  A great example of this reality is Titan Cement and the Cement they produce.  Cement is the primary raw material used to produce Concrete.  Concrete is used to build hospitals, schools, churches, bridges, highways, and the list could continue.  Even ‘green’ companies need cement.  Additionally, Titan Cement will bring in those that could provide leadership and manpower in our civic organizations.

 I’ve heard that two significant concerns are with the tourism industry and the attraction of our area by retirees.  I certainly recognize that, however, it seems that another section is being left out.  How about the regular hard working American citizen that is trying to provide for their families?  Should we have to move to another area of the country to pursue our dreams of finding a decent job?  Will our children have to move away because our interest is being ignored? 

 I recognize that there are environmental concerns, and it appears that Titan is following not only the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law by committing themselves to exceeding that which is currently required by the law.  It is my understanding that there are regulations and safeguards on the federal, state and local levels to make sure that the plant is compliant before it can become operational.

 Look, I’m not saying that we should ignore concerns that we have.  However, as a conservative, I ask, how does it affect individual liberty and the pursuit of happiness, including property rights.(Titan owns the property)  Secondly, are we maintaining our commitment to limited government or are we encouraging its greater expansion and influence to ensure we have our way in this particular matter.  And finally, how does this affect our free market/capitalist economic system.

In defense of Titan Cement, I say, let them build the plant giving our economy a much needed boost and keep a close eye on compliance with environmental and air quality regulations so that our tourist can enjoy the beaches and other natural attractions, our prospective retirees can enjoy their well earned rest, and our hard working citizens can have an additional opportunity to find good steady work.

 

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Bozone (n.) The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. ___ Author unknown

During this temporary period of hot, humid weather, I’m reminded that ozone levels, caused by photochemical reactions, naturally increase. This oxidizing agent also deodorizes air, purifies water and treats industrial waste. It’s not all bad, but it is frequently promoted as a pollutant by government agents and health scare advocates. All elements of the natural world change regularly, and sometimes dramatically, but political activists want us to believe that they are optimally fixed and can be arbitrarily assigned by government.

Remember the Star-News front page headline in late April (4/29/09): “Under new rules, air quality ranked ‘D’”? It inferred that we may be breathing bad air, but the data showed otherwise. Vague and confusing information painted a blurry picture related to what might float around in the air here in River City.

Ozone, targeted as scary stuff, might be “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” the story writer warned. The American Lung Association (even body organs have advocates) promoted this fear in their annual air quality grading report. Why? Not because our air is proven unhealthy, but because the Environmental Protection Agency (note: it’s not called the Human Protection Agency) changed the rules. An ozone level higher than 0.085 parts per million (in an eight-hour period), in the previous threshold of danger, now has been lowered to 0.076 ppm. Check your ozone meter at least three times a day to see if it’s safe to breathe.

Last year, before EPA lowered the standard, the county had no unhealthy air days. At that time the ALA had graciously granted us an “A”- air grade. In fact, EPA data from 2000 to 2007 showed that ozone levels actually improved in the county, and didn’t exceed the earlier standard. However, an ALA vice president for “national policy and advocacy” spun the new ruling thus: “It means we’ve had unhealthy air all along,” she said.

Yes, and if the EPA lowered the ozone threshold to zero “sensitive groups” might presumably be at risk all the time. Of course the government will never do that because its advocates would have no reason to promote periodic fears so that they can drum up more public funding. People would soon realize that the hyped dangers are largely ethereal and few would support them.

Keep this in mind when you read the next air quality horror stories by Stop Titan activists about the Carolinas Cement Co. proposed plant.

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Published in the Wilmington StarNews 6/8/09

I see little value in wondering about other companies coming to Wilmington. Carolinas Cement has stated their intent, followed all the EPA rules and will bring good jobs and provide a much-needed stimulation for the area. It’s a bird in hand, if we’re not careful, it could fly away.

I toured the Roanoke plant myself and found it to be very safety and environmentally conscious, using state-of-the-art equipment and emission monitoring equipment. The Roanoke plant is surrounded by dairy and beef farms, residential developments and schools. None of the farms,developments or schools has ever been adversely affected by the plant or the limestone quarry. Cement is the main ingredient used in concrete, which people come in contact with it every day, It’s in your house, sidewalk, roads, bridges. This product could help the immediate area economy and the state/national economy. Producing cement here would reduce the amount that needs to be imported; this would be a small mark in the reduction of our nation’s trade deficit. CC has said they’d pay more than two million dollars in taxes in New Hanover County. They’ll use electricity, establish a business payroll, and contribute to community infrastructure and other purchase other services. They have a solid business plan; 40 year plan has been published.

CC will be a good neighbor, have a very strong reputation for community stewardship everywhere they go. Why support them? I have listed some basic FACTS above.

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Health and wellness are values that responsible people honor deeply.  Therefore, we depend upon and trust our physicians.  Rightfully so.  They’re smart people; practicing medicine and the myriad intricacies that it involves is hard stuff – plenty more than most of us can imagine.  But let’s give these hardworking caregivers a break and remind ourselves - their expertise is medicine.  Just because they’re physicians doesn’t mean they know everything.  We mustn’t expect them to.

Emblazoned on a billboard and proudly publicized by StopTitan, “200 local physicians signed a petition against Carolinas Cement” still remains a mystery.  In the first place, other than the few looking clinical and smart in their lab coats, who are they?  To my knowledge, this list was never made public.  Secondly, what is it, exactly, that they oppose?  I’ve read reports and I’ve seen Dr. Opper in his YouTube  appearance – he  seems like a nice guy and if I get diverticulitis I might pay him a visit. But he makes huge, wide-sweeping statements about cement plants in general; he speaks in ominous tones of “inevitable by-products” and “episodes of respiratory problems,” allegations and accusations that have nothing to do with the technologically-advanced manufacturing facility Carolinas Cement is proposing to build.   Opper makes one analogy after another regarding the long lag between cause and effect (e.g., second hand smoke, seatbelts).  Here’s one for you: comparing old cement factories to new, state-of-the-art facilities is rather like asking Dr. Opper how many leaches he uses to bleed his patients before he offers them two swigs of whiskey in lieu of anesthesia for their surgery.

I’ll state it again.  Our physicians are truly the cream of society and all of us would have lost loved ones and perhaps our own lives but for their expertise.   And yes, most Wilmington physicians are enjoying a comfortable lifestyle cushioned by the HMO’s, PPO’s and other assorted insurance plans primarily underwritten by companies such as Carolinas Cement. 

Opposing the project is entirely illogical.  It’s on public record that Carolinas Cement is following the permitting process to the letter of the law.  Their new facility will be superbly designed and continually monitored - it will do no harm to the community, only good. 

The 2007 U.S. Census Bureau reports more than 14% of people living in New Hanover County are living below the poverty level – and this number is increasing.  Dr. Opper is asking us not to trust “an international cement conglomerate.”  I have to believe that most physicians will agree that the horrible reality of living below the poverty level is a far worse scourge than any scare tactic the oppositions can dream up.  Need a second opinion?  Don’t ask the pampered, spoiled, student protesters with their well-fed bellies and perfect teeth about what types of businesses they would or would not like to see in Wilmington, they’re busy contemplating graduation and moving on to seek their fortunes elsewhere.  Rather, ask the long-time resident who’s been out of work and is having trouble putting beans on the table and can’t afford insurance or urgent care and certainly not constipation advice from Dr. Opper. 

 

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There is a reason that you get a second opinion when a doctor tells you something, the reason in this case is that they may not know or refuse to believe what is the truth.>
Milt Packard



You have got to be kidding me. You are sad misguided people that really don't understand why we are on this planet. >
Anonymous



The reason that you get a second opinion is to find out ALL of the facts. The sign does not give any idea to what was on the petition that the doctors signed. Where they not proud to publish that and list their name on it?? I have looked at all of the ST website information, studied EPA regulations concerning cement plants, limestone quarries and worked in locations that deal with industrial VOC on a daily basis for over 20 years. After considering all of this information I can suport Carolinas Cement and sign my name to it, since a mans' word is as good as his name. My reasons for being on earth and living in the United States are as follows; Practicing religous and political FREEDOMS Searching out a GOOD LIFE earned by a strong work ethic, empoying the ethioc at a good job, using intelligence, persistance and the ability to look outside the box to make informed decisions Practicing FRIENDSHIP; treating others as you would like to be treated PERSONAL TIME VALUES; actiivities that provide relief from negative thoughts, isues and peoples who are bitter, unhappy and looking for the easy way to get by in life thru less than honorable means. >
Milt Packard

Posted on SquallLines, May 29

Of course, it never went away. It’s persistent–and irrational. Three letters published by the Wilmington Star-News (May 28, 2009) demonstrate that.

An “enthusiastically pro-business” writer “can’t think of anything more harmful to our actual prosperity” than a cement plant. Anything? Aside from his bias for only businesses with which he approves–the pristine “information”-type–he expects that a modern plant vetted by stringent laws and thorough examination by multiple government agencies will damage even the “eclectic charm” of the area. Yet this plant will be located on a defined acreage adjacent to a current mining site (of which we’ve heard no complaining), and far from the varietal glamour we presume he now sees all around.

The letter writer implies that a cement plant could even make us a less friendly and “engaged” people. Gosh, we don’t want that. We already have too many unfriendly and detached people in the Stop Titan movement.

Then, a letter from a perennial anti-development instigator (the editor gives her credibility and cover as “a senior scientist with the N. C. Coastal Federation”) bitterly reminded of the failed “moratorium” scheme by our heroic state senator to legislatively stall the permitting process. The ploy was to “initiate a comprehensive review to determine” if the company plan “is in the best interest of our environment,” and many other aspects of our lives.

That one didn’t fly because for decades the law has required a comprehensive review of all this. In fact, that will take many months and impose heavy costs on the company–a gleeful time for the Titaniacs

The preservationist’s alternative to Americans producing a commodity–essential for building–from processed natural resources on their land is to spend millions of taxpayer’s dollars to purchase company property for “public gamelands.” Only someone truly out of touch with reality could come up with that.

Finally, another Stop Titan activist writes that cement company officials have promised Realtors in this area that “they’ll sell lots of houses” when the plant is built. Really?

What will these Titan-phobic people come up with next?

Maybe they plan to redline the Wilmington area to prevent Realtors from selling houses to those mean, nasty cement-covered people. I wouldn’t be surprised.

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Published on Friday, May 15, 2009 in the Wilmington StarNews

You can fool some people some of the time…

Abe Lincoln concluded his famous quip by saying, “but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

Let’s restate the truth, the obvious and the opportunity for Wilmington. Titan and its subsidiary Carolina Cement have done nothing wrong.

In fact, they have done everything right. They bring to Wilmington a good corporate citizen with hundreds of well-paying jobs; they meet all government regulations; they have a clean corporate track record; they have been a good corporate citizen in nearby Roanoke, and they will be one here, too.

What’s not to like? Instead there is voodoo, fear, misinformation.

No, the North Carolina legislature did not fall for that, and neither should we.

Carolina Cement will be a great addition to our community. Let’s let them continue to prove it.

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From SquallLines, Posted May 16th, 2009 at 7:54 PM by Bob Smith

“Titan’s opponents say the battle isn’t over,” writes Chris Mazzolini in the Wilmington Star-News (May 15, 2009). Battle? What battle? Attacks on the Carolinas Cement Company should better be described as troublemaking rather than a fight between opposing forces. Company people don’t want to fight anyone. Not so their foes.

Sincere, hard-working American citizens want to use company property to produce a valuable product. They promise to follow all the government regulations and patiently wait while the long, expensive process grinds away. They fully cooperate with all requests by several regulatory agencies. Meanwhile, company people have opened every aspect of their proposed operations to intense scrutiny by anyone interested. And they offer hands in friendship and neighborliness to the Wilmington community. But how have their “opponents” acted?

They have used tactics to promote imagined fears in the minds of the public about the proposed plant operation. They have made false and malicious statements about the company. They have threatened lawsuits. They have coerced political operatives to “block” the plant operation. Powerful activist groups have joined an environmental jihad; its purpose to “Stop-Titan.” Responsible people must ask: Why?

Recently, opponents of the Carolinas Cement Co. had a set back in their obstructionist tactic to legislate against the firm. Their local political supporter, Sen. Julia Boseman, failed in a state legislative attempt to prevent the company from operating. She says she still plans to get around the senate rules somehow. However, apparently, Boseman has little support in Raleigh to shut down an important business that would significantly contribute to the state economy. Still, company harassers won’t give up.

Mike Giles, an environmental radical with the N. C. Coastal Federation, says his operatives will work on the senate committee that now holds the Boseman bill. They will “pry it out of there,” says he. It’s difficult to say what his group’s next wrenching tactic will be, but we can be sure they will try almost anything to stop this company from operating. This is no battle. It’s a one-sided, relentless assault by organized fanatics.

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I write on behalf of the Carolinas Cement Team. We are grateful to the North Carolina House and the Senate for not moving forward with any moratorium against Carolinas Cement, which would delay our ability to bring much needed jobs to this state. We thank Governor Perdue and her office, along with the state Department of Commerce for lending their support and for sharing in the vision that North Carolina remains a business-friendly state.

Today our elected representatives decided once and for all that the process to vet companies that wish to move, build and operate here is sound and that Carolinas Cement has responsibly adhered to this process.

We look forward to continuing our momentum, working with the N.C. Division of Air Quality, to receive our draft air permit so that we can build one of the most environmentally friendly plants in the world and start making our promised investment in this community.

Sincerely,

Bob Odom

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Written by Bob Warwick and originally printed in the May 2009 edition of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal:

Since announcing the formation of the Coalition for Economic Advancement (CEA) in January, I’ve had many people inquire about our purpose. It’s simple. We’re a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to supporting responsible economic development.

Here’s an overly simplified summary of how economic development works in our region. Wilmington Industrial Development (Committee of 100) recruits businesses to our region. The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce supports the business once they get up and running. In between selecting the site and opening for business, most companies go through a regulatory process with the city, county and state. During this in-between process, most companies are on their own, with limited support offered from other businesses or organizations.

Who does control this in-between process? Groups and individuals who want to stifle economic development through protests, misinformation and dubious business practices.

Unfortunately, many of these protestors wrap themselves in the cloak of environmentalism to mask what they’re really trying to do – stop any type of responsible economic development in our region. I use the term “unfortunate” because this misappropriation of the term environmentalism ultimately hurts the environmental movement by disenfranchising it from the business community instead of identifying ways for business and environment to work together.

To combat the stifling impact the NIMBY (not in my backyard) contingent is having on economic development, we formed the Coalition for Economic Advancement. CEA advocates for companies like Titan America, which is currently undergoing the permitting process at both the state and federal levels. We advocate for them because they have demonstrated their wish to be a productive member of our community.

Unfortunately, there appears to be a “politically correct” (and therefore incorrect) assumption in our community that threatens to undermine our economic prosperity. The assumption is that those who support industry and development are anti-environment. The thesis of my editorial is quite simple – economic development and environmentalism can and should peacefully coexist.

In fact, our Coalition consists of many staunch environmentalists. These are men and women who have lived almost their entire lives in the Cape Fear region. They enjoy hunting, fishing, boating and our beautiful beaches. I am here to tell you that we appreciate and respect the environment as much or more than any advocate for Stop Titan. 

However, we are sensible enough to understand that if we don’t encourage responsible growth, we won’t have anyone left in the community who will appreciate, respect and protect the environment. And, therefore, we must welcome businesses to our area that embrace good business practices and environmental stewardship.

Over the last decade, industry leaders have made important strides to become more environmentally responsible at the behest of the government, customers and the general public. Our community is fortunate that another environmental steward wants to locate in New Hanover County. That company is Titan America. One of Titan America’s core values is corporate social responsibility and it demonstrates this value in its communities everyday.

• Titan America’s Carolinas Cement has committed to preserving more than 310 acres of the highest quality wetlands on its site, along the Northeast Cape Fear River.

• Although it was not required in the permitting process, Carolinas Cement commissioned an independent, peer-reviewed human health risk assessment that concluded mercury emissions from the proposed Castle Hayne plant would have a nominal effect on the health of the community.

• Carolinas Cement has voluntarily subjected itself to the most stringent EPA regulation for mercury emissions, which is expected to be announced April 21.

• In March, Titan received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for Land Conservation due its outstanding contribution toward protecting and conserving the environment and benefiting the health and welfare of Virginia’s communities.

• Titan America’s Roanoke Cement plant earned a 2007 and 2008 Energy Star for superior energy efficiency within the cement industry.

• Roanoke Cement planted an apple orchard adjacent to the plant for employees and their families to enjoy and helped revitalize areas of the Appalachian Trail.

• Roanoke Cement partners with Trout Unlimited, a national organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.

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« A yawning perception gap on the Tea Parties
Don’t fall for it, New Hanover »
Coast Keeping

Posted April 20th, 2009 at 8:22 PM by Bob Smith

I was amused to read the Sunday Star-News opinion page article by Mike Giles. His self-important title, “coastkeeper” apparently gives him credibility with the editorial editor. Actually, he is a community activist working for the N. C. Coastal Federation, an environmental lobbying “nonprofit” group—profiting from taxpayer’s “grants.”

Mr. Giles desperately tried to make the case that we shouldn’t trust government regulators. On that, I can generally agree, but he worries that regulatory agencies aren’t up to preventing the Carolinas Cement Co. from building a plant on their land north of Wilmington.

As I understand the process, the agencies aren’t established to carry out the wishes of Giles and his organized activists to stop the company from operating. At least, I hope not. We should expect the agencies to reasonably use the law and rules to protect citizens from possible harm while protecting the rights of businesses to legally operate.

Actually, the deck is stacked in Giles’ favor. Multiple agencies at several government levels will be evaluating virtually all aspects of the land, water, air, plants, animals and much more. The process will consume many months and lot’s of money. Government will have the ultimate power to approve the operation, or not.

Carolinas Cement people will follow its requests. They can only hope the regulators are reasonable people and use common sense—characteristics not demonstrated by the Stop Titan activists.

Giles charges that the cement company has “eight paid lobbyists” who will influence state legislators. There again, the deck is stacked against the company. The Southern Environmental Law Center, a partner group with the Coastal Federation, has eleven lawyers on staff in Chapel Hill, with 30 more available in nearby states.

In addition, the Coastal Federation has 18 staff activists paid to spread their Stop Titan messages up and down the coast, and probably in Raleigh. What’s Mr. Giles so worried about?

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Thanks, Mr. Kruse.  You've summed it up very nicely!

Published: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 6:09 p.m. in the Wilmington StarNews.

How wonderfully appropriate it is that Senator Boseman's action to bar the Carolinas Cement Company's new plant with her proposed senate bill appeared on the same Star-News front page as the headline article on the current employment situation. I guess losing 30+ jobs at BASF isn't enough - who's next on Julia's hit list? GE? Corning?

We have stringent state and federal environmental regulations in place - not to mention "as-of-right" industrial zoning, let the regulatory process proceed and let the chips fall where they may. This bill will be a red flag to any business considering locating here and to any existing businesses thinking of expansion. This action is unprecedented and reeks of grandstanding and pandering to the nth degree. If the bill passes and causes Titan to say we quit, then Julia will have effectively shut the door to new industrial development in New Hanover for years to come and severly limit options for the local blue collar work force and construction industry.

Wayne Kruse
Wilmington

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I am curious who she is pandering to? Does representing your constituent's interests and requests constitute pandering? What started as ripple here in the Wilmington community against exposing us to more proven neurotoxins has grown into a strong wave against Titan. If Julia had ignored the demands of her community, wouldn't she then not be doing her job? If we can have an honest discussion without all of the vitriol about the well documented health effects of the pollutants that cement plants generate, perhaps then our local community can answer for themselves the simple question that this all boils down to: Are you willing to trade your health and environment for cement? We can dance around this core question all we want, but at the end of the day, it all comes back to that, nothing more, nothing less.>
Anonymous



Well I do believe I am also a constituent and from what I gather from most people I talk to, most are willing to let the studies proceed and THEN make a decision. I also believe that the opponents are in the minority, that's not to say a minority of constituents shouldn't have representation but - they already do, in the form of fought for in-place regulations and requirements. I personally stand to gain nothing from the plant, except perhaps lower taxes and a more viable diversified economy in the region. I do have a major concern about jobs, especially blue collar jobs and construction jobs. Also as a retired professional that has worked in the engineering & construction business for many years and who has also been involved with economic development and site location - I can guarantee that targeting a single plant on the basis of insufficient information will significantly impact the decisions of other companies and site location consultants that might consider the area. Furthermore,existing companies already in the area that might consider expansion will most certainly have to think twice. When you speak of documented health effects of cement plants you are looking at historic information, what counts is the scientifically derived + or - parameters that a new plant will meet. It's not an apples to apples comparison. So please let the professionals in government and industry do their jobs before rushing to judgement. Add to your question of "are you willing to trade your health and environment for cement?" Are you willing to tell 160 unemployed persons and hundreds of underemployed construction workers that - you can do without health insurance - just because you didn't want to wait for the results of a defined process? In my opinion, Boseman is pandering to a small but vocal group, some of whom I think have done an admirable job of making the public aware of the issues, but also includes others who have now decided that regardless of the actual impact of the plant - have become advocates of building absolutely nothing anytime anywhere. Putting forth legislation that has very little chance to be passed - is pandering. For those that live in the area of the plant, I'm sorry that you may be inconvenienced during the construction and possibly when the plant is in operation. It is however an existing industrial site, is zoned as such and has been for many years. It's akin to moving next to an airport and complaining about the noise. However I think most living near the plant will find little impact to their life and may find positives in CCC's contributions to the community, I hope so.>
Wayne Kruse

Titan cement plants are winning outstanding recognition - one might say stellar, in fact - for our environmental and energy conservation efforts.  We're thrilled that our Roanoke Cement Company was the receipient of the prestigious Energy Star Award in both 2007 and 2008.  Our Pennsuco plant was also a 2008 receipient of the Energy Star Award.

EPA Energy Star program recognizes manufacturers' energy efficient solutions that save money while protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  If you've shopped for appliances lately, you're familiar with the bright green Energy Star logo. 

And here's the green icing on the sustainability cake.  Titan America has recently formed a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy's Energy Star® Program.  As a condition of the partnership, Titan America agrees to submit to independent monitoring of its energy efficiency.  This will include base lining, tracking and benchmarking the company’s energy performance, using tools offered through Energy Star.

Titan is on the leading edge of what's essentially a new industrial revolution.  We're blazing the trail for efficient, sustainable, conservation-minded, “green” projects that will help America achieve energy independence and move away from dependency on foreign oil.  

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Ther are many of us here in the Wilmington area glad you are coming here and bringing us jobs. Thx >
Anonymous



It just totally amazes me how the difference between misinformation, denial and outright refusal. From what I have read about this proposed project; it seems to me that these people might know what they are doing. they have been in this industry for over 100yrs, they have thriving, environmentally friendly plants operating in other areas of the country, no violations of EPA regulations or standards have I read about. From what i have read, they (Titan) if willing to do whatever is required. They A The only people that seems to have a with Titan are the ones with jobs, a house, and no threat of losing any of the above.problem >
Anonymous



I am a resident and parent of the Wilmington community. Concern for my children's health goes without saying for me. I am a little confused however by the opposition to the Titan project. Is Titan presenting any more of a threat to our community and environment than the already existing nuclear operations at GE, or the emissions from other plants in the area like Corning? Did anyone oppose this project so ademently for the already existing plant that Titan is merely restarting? My concern is, is it a lot of political posturing that may prevent my children from having an economically sound future in this community or is there a vaild threat? >
Anonymous

Opponents have accused Carolinas Cement of attempting to rush the issuance of the permit because of new mercury emission rules being proposed by the EPA. Not true. As we’ve stated many times (but which the media consistently fails to report), CAROLINAS CEMENT WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE NEW EPA RULES WHEN THEY TAKE EFFECT, so delaying our draft air permit will only delay our ability to bring much needed revenue and jobs to this community.

Construction will not begin until both the air and wetlands permits are safely in hand. But we need lead time for design, planning and ordering equipment.  The more delays Carolinas Cement faces, the longer it will take to build the plant, provide jobs, and inject a sorely-needed economic booster shot into the greater Wilmington community.

We’ve stated time and again that we’re following the permitting process to the letter of the law.  For a small group of activists to ask for delays is supremely self-serving and just plain irresponsible. If you have questions about our project or the process required to obtain our permits, just ask us.

There is no benefit to stalling the Carolinas Cement air permit.  The cement industry is stringently regulated, the state and federal processes are sound and we’re following them to the letter.   Here’s the irony:  These irrational requests to stall the Carolinas Cement project sabotage the very mechanism that was designed by environmentalists to protect the environment.  We politely suggest the opposition stop getting in its own way.

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Much attention has been paid to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission's decision to send letters to both the State Division of Air Quality and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking to delay Carolinas Cement's draft air permit.  We are not aware of any technical basis in the air permitting process to accomodate their request to delay the permit, because the state has governed that the process only covers air quality, not aquatic resources.

We recognize their right as an interested party to comment as part of the process, just like anyone else. However, the air permit is not the place to address these concerns. Their requests should not have any impact on the air permitting process, unless the Division of Air Quality rewrites its requirements. It is in fact the Corps that will address potential impacts on aquatic resources, within the Environmental Impact Statement.

The news of the Commission’s ruling should not overshadow the fact that we have to prove to state and federal agencies that we will operate a safe facility that will not cause harm to members of our community or any of our community’s natural resources. We are looking forward to building on our momentum and eventually constructing what will be one of the cleanest and safest cement manufacturing facilities in the world.

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Dear Ms McClain: In response to your concerns about the DMF's statement requesting a delay in Titan's air permit, there are at least two important issues that need to be mentioned. The first is the inextricable linkage between air quality and aquatic resources for contaminants such as mercury, which goes up stacks and can be deposited into water bodies and bioaccumulated in fish. The second relates to the likelihood that stricter federal emission rules for mercury might soon be implemented. Isn't it possible that Titan wants to receive its air permit before these rules come out so they won't need to immediately comply with stricter regulations?>
Anonymous



Anonymous - Thanks for your question. First, let me emphasize that WE WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE EPA'S NEW, MORE STRINGENT REGULATION NO MATTER WHEN OUR AIR PERMIT IS GRANTED. So, it would be entirely illogical for us to rush the process to obtain it sooner. Secondly, the air permit does not address aquatic studies. Such studies (and many others) will be undertaken when the US Army Corps of Engineers works on the Environmental Impact Statement for our second major permit, our wetlands permit. Again -delaying the permit only delays the construction of the plant - which delays income and sorely-needed jobs in the Wilmington community.>
Kate Mcclain

Doesn't matter if there's no money to buy it. I'm sure that Titan's current US facilities can manage, if it ever comes to that.>
Anonymous



Joel Bourne said tonight that the US can buy cement from Columbia, South America. They are a great supplier of cement and direct competition for Titan. Joel Bourne neglected to note that this move would further unbalance the US trade deficit. I wonder who will buy Nation Geographic and read Joel's articles when they are unemployed?>
Anti-Anonomous**

The following letter was published on January 3, 2009 in the StarNews as a response to a recent article written by Chris Mazzolini.  I'd like to know your thoughts.

Editor,

The recent article by Chris Mazzolini on Charolinas Cement's air premit process requires clarification and calls into question his ability to impartially report on this project.

First, Mazzolini writes that "Titan officials are eager to avoid a prolonged review of the air permit."  That's true.

But the implication that our company is trying to sneak something through the regulatory process is simply poor reporting. 

Carolinas Cement is a business that has to meet deadlines; the air permit is needed to move forward

Second, Mazzolini's reference to a legal challenge to our air permit process implies that we should just accept that our opponents' agruments are worthy of delaying the entire project.

They're not, and we won't.

Mazzolini approaches our filings with the critical skepticism appropriate for a reporter.  I do not see that same skepticism applied to our opponents.

Third, Mazzolini writes of the channges made to avoid wetlands in our mine footprint.

But, the premitting process requires us to seek alternatives with less environmental impact.  From our earliest meetings with regulatory agencies, we stated thate if other less sensitive lands became available, we would more to those lands, and we have.

There is no subterfuge with Carolinas Cement's air permit application.

We support an open, transparent and balanced permitting process.  We expect the same from Star-News reporters.

Marino Papazoglou

 

POST A COMMENT

Last week, Carolinas Cement and Roanoke Cement shipped 100 care packages to troops based in N.C. and Va. who are serving abroad. 

Company executives meet each November to discuss business goals and corporate social responsibility initiatives for the year ahead.  This year, company leaders elected to launch a military care package campaign.  Two thousand Titan America employees throughout N.C. and Va. donated goods or money to the program.  Goodies shiped overseas included personal hygiene products, chewing gum, hard candy, granola bars, book and much more.  Way to go, Carolinas Cement!!

COMMENTS (1)	·	POST A COMMENT

Congratulations to Roanoke Cement!  Three of its sites have operated eleven years without a lost time accident:  Castle Hayne, Richmond and Winston-Salem terminals.  The Portland Cement Association recently recognized RCC with a certificate commerating the event. 

"This is a special milestone in that for eleven years, no employee of these three terminals was injured or had to miss work," stated Ronnie Collins, Business Unit Safety Manager for Mid-Atlantic, Essex Cement and Separation Technologies for the past two years.  "This milestone solidified the commitment management and the employees have made toward working safely."

Safety is the number one core value at parent company Titan America.  Employees and guests from each location celebrated the accomplishment with a dinner party.  "It's a 'can-do' attitude and enthusiasm on the job that makes achievements like these possible," said Collins.  "It makes me proud to be associated with a team like this."

 

POST A COMMENT

What will be the transportation needs for the new quarry location? Will the limestone be moved by rail or trucks and how will present traffic patterns on Holly Shelter Road and Blue Clay Road be impacted? What is the expected volume of truck or rail traffic on these roadways? What is the amount of truck or rail traffic per ton of limestone for your present operations in Roanoke and Pennsuco? Thank you, AC>
Anonymous



Given the 310 acres of wetlands that will not be impacted, do you have a revised estimate of the acres of wetlands (regardless of their present condition) that will be impacted by mining and plant operations? Thank you.>
Anonymous



Thanks for your question about the number of acres that will be impacted. It's a good question, but I'm not able to answer it at this time. Here's why: The possible footprint for mining activity is currently under review by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), required to be undertaken before our wetlands permit can be issued. Even after the Corps has made it's decision, please realize that we operate by the philosophy of "avoid, minimize and mitigate" regarding all wetlands use.>
Kate Mcclain

Dear Interested NH Resident, The comparison made of the proposed CH plant, and the existing plant in Roanoke is by no means deceptive,and The plant in Roanoke is by no means "in the middle of nowhere." It sits within a community close to the Appalachian Trail; just a few miles from residential housing, schools and other vital parts of the community. This is the same plant that Titan has sponsored facility tours to see. Wilmington Residents had the opportunity to visit this community and see it and not just read about. I am quite sure that the residents of Roanoke care just as much about the natural beauty and resources of their community as do Wilmington residents, and may even consider Wilmington "in the middle of nowhere." >
Anonymous



Ms. McClain: You missed an important point of my prior email. I was saying that a more appropriate comparison of the proposed CH plant would be to your Pennsuco plant in Medley, FL, not to your Roanoke plant. Interested individuals should take a look at a Google Earth image of that facility to see what some of the impacts on Castle Hayne might be if the plant is allowed to be built. Also, I had submitted an earlier question asking about the total number of acres of wetlands that could potentially be impacted if the plant goes forward, but never got an answer. Can you answer this with a number? With all due respect, this skirting of some important issues is what exasperates at least some opponents of the proposed plant. >
Anonymous



Hello again, Anonymous! Good to hear from you again. However, I'm confused that you're asking the same questions again. Please see the blog "New Quarry" above. But I'll revisit the concern. I completely disagree with your statement "a more appropriate comparison of the proposed CH plant would be to your Pennsuco plant in Medley, FL, not to your Roanoke plant." I've spend a fair amount of time at our Pennsuco plant. It is an extraordinary, technologically-advanced facility, staffed by some of the world's leading experts. But it is located in a highly industrial community in south Florida, which in no way resembles Wilmington or Roanoke. Further, your statement that "Interested individuals should take a look at a Google Earth image of that facility to see what some of the impacts on Castle Hayne might be if the plant is allowed to be built" frankly makes no sense, my friend. Have you actually visited either of our plants? Regarding your question about the total number of acres of wetlands that could potentially be impacted - I assure you, nobody is skirting any issues at Carolinas Cement. As we've stated many times, the issue of what property is suitable and approved to be mined is currently being studied by the US Army Corps of Engineers as part of our Environmental Impact Study. We have no way of knowing what property they will approve so your "total acreage" question is impossible to answer at this time.> > >
Kate McClain

Why does titan cement not answer the questions that the citizens of New Hanover ask. They respond very selectively and don't answer some questions at all. this appears to the general public that titan is hidng something. I think you are a good company but have a product that is not good for our sensitive water and wetland environment. Titans response through paid PR representative is not believable nor accceptable. You need to hire another expensive firm to brainwash the community. And, your local contributions to charities is being perceived as bribs.>
Anonymous



My dear Anonymous. You are wrong. We at Carolinas Cement communicate broadly and regularly with the good citizens of New Hanover County. We personally answer questions posed by individuals and groups in many formats on a daily basis; we make presentations to organizations and associations large and small; we also welcome questions via e-mail, telephone, website and blog. We have hosted tours of our cement plant in Roanoke and invited all interested persons to attend. I was deeply involved with three public informational workshops in which more than forty Titan employees and our business partners eagerly discussed the project, answered questions and distributed literature. I expect you follow the local news with great interest so you'll know that I also work closely with your local media, responding to their inquiries immediately and keeping them updated with late breaking. I don't know how you make your living, Anonymous, but this is what I do and I can assure you that we are satisfying questions posed by your friends and neighbors. If you have questions, please ask.>
Kate McClain



I feel compelled to comment on recent comparisons on your website and mass emailing of the proposed Castle Hayne plant to the existing Roanoke plant in Troutsville, VA. This comparison is quite deceptive. First, the proposed plant would produce nearly twice as much cement as the Roanoke plant (2.4 vs 1.3 million tons, according to your figures), with corresponding increases in pollutant emissions. Second, as stated in the story on the WECT website, the Roanoke plant is "in the middle of nowhere." The proposed CH plant is not in the middle of nowhere. It is located near sensitive estuarine wetlands which serve as a nursery for many economically valuable fish species. These wetlands, located in a subtropical environment, also happen to be conducive to formation of methylmercury, the most toxic form of mercury that accumulates in fish, other aquatic organisms, and people. This is a particular concern since the propose Titan plant may emit hundreds of pounds of mercury that will contribute to an increased methylmercury problem if the plant is built. Of course, there are many other issues and concerns, but the point is that your comparisons to the Roanoke plant seem more like propaganda than a truthful attempt to portray the environmental impacts of large-scale cement production. A better comparison might be to your Pennsuco facility in Medley, FL. Interested individuals should make themselves aware of the significant issues with mercury accumulation in fish and other species in South Florida. >
Interested NH County resident

Get the Facts. I took the opportunity to visit the Roanoke Cement Complex in Troutville, Va this past Saturday. This was a trip hosted by Titan America. I visited with the neighbors (whose farms suuround the Troutville facility), Roanoke plant employees and the county manager. I toured the facility, rock quarry through final processing. The quarry and plant were impressive, safety is very high on the plant management's list. The plant was well run and there was a synergy with each operation. The constant monitoring system (for plant VOCs and environmental points)was impressive and proved to me that Titan is very serious about their process with respect to output of all types (products and by-products). The plant manager and his team displayed and explained many plant improvments which lead to better plant operations, conditions, safety and environmental conditions. One great expample that was impressive was the way that they are re-using a large amount of a by-product that was sent to a landfill for years. They have reduced the amount of the by-product that the cement process yields as well as REMOVING what has been landfilled in past years to use as a cement component. There are more details that the Roanoke plant staff shared that show the depth, seriousness and committment they have to the environment and the community. The neighbors were very happy that Titan was in control of the plant. These families have lived next to the plant and farmed the land for many years. They were very positive with Titan's positive actions and gave details about the improvements that have taken place since Titan bought the facility in 1992. With respect to "Stop Titan" concerns about environmental hazards; I did not see any evidence or did not hear of anything from the neighbors. They assured me that they have NEVER had any adverse environmental with their families or their way of life. These people are milk farmers and beef farmers, both types of products are FEDERALLY regulated, milk is especially sensitive to the environment. You can tell the day that cows are turned out into pasture in the spring, the raw milk will have a slight "green" taste after they have consumed hay, silage and grain all winter. I know this as a first hand fact since I lived on a Pennsylvania dairy farm for the first 20 years of my life. No ones' milk in the Troutville, Va.valley has ever failed a state market test. In closing, I will tell anyone who thinks they should "STOP Titan" or anyone who is wondering what all of the negative concern is about should go on the next trip to Roanoke, bring their data, concerns about incidents, the environment and details about the new Carolina Cement Castle Hayne facility that concern them, talk with the Titan America senior business manager, Roanoke plant manager and staff, the Troutville, Va. neighbors and see what the "other side" of the story really is about. Have a good evening and a better Monday! >
Milt Packard



Thanks,Milt!>
Kate McClain

The plant won't be up and working for a couple of yrs? Who's building it? Local jobs? We need work now.Why so long?Why are people being brought here to work? Where are the 160 jobs you have.All labor jobs? Driver jobs? Sales? FAT $$ DESK JOBS? -HIRE LOCALS-.It dosent seem that way. Must be Political,promise the world,then end up with minimum wage hard labor jobs.in a couple yrs? Sounds more like big buisness lies to me.This community needs work now,lots of work.Step up do the right thing.TELL THE TRUTH.NO Building market,no jobs,rednecks watch T.V. too yaknow.Some of us R EVEN SMART 2.Maybe we should say the dirty word. UNION The things that make you go Hmmm..>
Randy



Randy - thanks for your questions. Please see my September 20 blog for details.>
Kate McClain

I believe I was the one who asked this question at the "get to know us meeting" at CFCC. I was told by your representatives that there would definitely be an increase in the number of train cars as well as an increase in the number of train runs each day (and night). In fact, I was told that because you would produce 5 times the amount of cement that is currently produced the rail traffic would increase by 5 times. Not to mention the amount of raw materials that might be shipped in by rail. This is an important issue! Will the rail traffic increase or not?>
Anonymous



Hello, Anonymous! According to the local CSX Train Master, Carolinas Cement will not require any additional crossings per day compared to the current Castle Hayne schedule. However, the number of cars per crossing will likely increase. We agree this is an important issue. If you need additional information, please let me know. >
Kate McClain



Specifically, how many train cars per day will be needed to support all transportation operations at Carolinas Cement? Clearly, this number, or a good approximation, is available to Titan America officials and should be shared with the people of Castle Hayne and New Hanover County at this time. Clearly, the CSX Train Master was given the number of train cars generated by Carolinas Cement per day on which to base his conclusion. Once this number is supplied, the citizens of Castle Hayne can make up their own minds on whether the sound level associated with this increased train traffic will "be very similar to current levels" or not. Thank you>
AC

My husband and I are very interested in progression of your Castle Hayne plant possibly coming to an reality in near future. We lost so many of our manufacturing companies to overseas vendors. In following your news updates about Titan America it sounds likes this opportnity is exactly what New Hanover county and surroundings counties desperately needs. You have our votes. We will definitely be following progress to obtain opportunities for employment. Thank you Scobers
Tammie Scober



Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Scober! We appreciate your support!
Kate McClain



My wife and I are very very excited about the prospect of Titan America opening up in Castle Hayne, NC. I have been moving aggregates for the past 10 years and would like to know the best way to go about obtaining job at Titan.>
Brian Petretti

Appreciated Titan's efforts to provide information on the proposed Castle Hayne plant. Most recently, significant concerns were expressed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NC Division of Marine Fisheries, NC Division of Water Quality, the NC Division of Coastal Management, and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission in opposition of this facility. Some of these reasons include unmitigable damage to the natural resources in the area, which "represents an aquatic resource of national importance" (USFWS supervisor), and irreparable damage to the Castle Hayne aquifer, the scope of which cannot be estimated. A Titan official had previously indicated that "If a site was considered unmitigable for whatever reason, we'll respect that and consider other properties" (Kate McClain, Titan America). Further Marino Papazaglou (Titan's project manager) told an audience of NHC residents (including the County Commissioners) that if it was determined that this project would harm the environment in "any way, shape, or form," Titan would not build the plant. I am a resident (and taxpayer) of northern New Hanover County, and I would like to know how you respond to the concerns expressed by these Federal and State officials (can all of these groups be wrong?), and whether or not Titan will honor Papazaglou's promise.
Anonymous



Thanks for attending the workshop. As we've stated in several forums, the area determined by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to be unmitigatable makes up only about 12 percent of the proposed site. The remaining property - including the site of the plant itself - was never under question. Further, the majority of the quarry area does not include the type of wetlands that these agencies have characterized as unmitigatable. These letters, by the way, were submitted as a normal part of the EIS process and not as a protest. Our next steps and the proper course of action is to allow these studies and processes to be thoroughly conducted and to advise you of the results.
Kate McClain

Will you be receiveing and processing fly ash into the cement manufacture from local power plants and/or power plants outside the region? How will that be delivered to the plant and handled at the plant?
Anonymous



Can you make anything else at this plant like cement blocks?
Nancy J.



I've lived my entire life on the North Carolina coast, and I want to see it grow as much as the next guy. I've read what you say, and I believe you when you say that you will do your best, but is that enough? Like your Miami plant, this plant will be in an area that is prone to hurricanes and floods. What would be the impact of such an occurence?
Drew M



Hello! Regarding your question about delivery of fly ash: The fly ash will be hauled in delivery trucks which will be covered and damp to control dust. When they arrive at the plant they will unload to a covered hopper with specially designed rubber curtains that do not allow any dust to escape. From there all material will be conveyed to the Material Storage Building via covered conveyor belts that will not allow any dust to escape. The same types of covered conveyor belts will feed all raw materials to the plant equipment for processing. Properly designed dust collection systems will be installed at all transfer points to ensure a dust free operation.
CCC



Thanks for your question regarding concrete blocks. The Carolinas Cement Plant will make cement, which is the main ingredient in concrete. We will sell our cement to local ready-mixed concrete plants, who may manufacture concrete blocks.
CCC



Hello, Drew! Not sure I fully understood your question about hurricanes and floods. But it's important to note that concrete homes are very popular in hurricane-prone areas - yet another important reason to have a cement plant nearby! Concrete homes are resistant to storms, wind, fire and termites. They're also very well insulated. Remember the tale of the three pigs? Please let me know if I can answer your question more specifically.
CCC



During Hurricane Floyd in 1999, the North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources said that 40 hog lagoons were completely flooded out, and another 6 failed to function properly. 35 other hazardous waste sites were inundated by the flood waters, as were two hundred and fifty highly hazardous landfills. To top it all off 130 underground storage tanks for dangerous waste leaked toxins into the ground water supply. All of these sites were built to specifications, but no one thought the water could get as high as it did. All of this filth and trash eventually washed down into the rivers, and from there to the estuaries, and then on to the ocean. That's one storm. That's the type of area you are entering. What would happen if your plant ended up underwater? It is a distinct possibiliity.
Drew M



What phase of construcion are you at? Have you "broken ground" - or - is this still in the permitting stage? Will the design be similar to the plant in Miami?
Bill



Hello, Bill! Carolinas Cement Company is currently undergoing due diligence for our new plant. In other words, we're in the permitting process. We hope to begin operations sometime in late 2011 or early 2012.
CCC



You sent postcards to Castle Hayne residents about a info meeting at CFCC on June 24, 2008 to answer questions about the building of the cement plant in Castle Hayne. On the bottom of the postcard it states, "Postmaster - please deliver before June 21, 2008" Today is June 26, 2008 and I just received my postcard. You would have had a larger crowd if the postcards would have been delivered as you directed. I would ask the post office to return your postage, because they didn't deliver
Gib



June 26, 2008 We received a postcard in today’s mail inviting us to a meeting “to discuss concerns and answer questions live and in person.” The postcard arrived two days AFTER your scheduled meeting. We most certainly would have been interested in attending and voicing our extreme opposition. Nice ploy, but such mailing tactics will not stop the fight, and only fuel the concerns of the type of neighbor we DON’T want.
Jack, Nannie, Matt Doyle



My family and I are extermely excited to welcome Carolinas Cement Company to New Hanover County. The same people that are opposed to your relocation also complain about their taxes. It is a shame that they don't stop and think that one reason why taxes keep climbing in NHC is because we have very little industry to help carry the load. Many people moved here to retire after making their living in an industry-related position; now they want to shut the door behind them. Many more of us know the benefit of having thriving industries and say welcome!
Anonymous



I feel the need to address the tax incentive issue. Why is it so difficult for the opposition to acknowledge that just the property taxes alone that Carolinas Cement Company will pay to New Hanover County will outweight the tax incentive. Let me make it simple for the opposition...if you owe me $100; and b/c I want to keep you as a friend I let you keep $20; I am still netting $80. It is basic math people! So, go ahead and be opposed...then you don't have the right to say one word about any current or future tax increase.
Anonymous



I would like to make it known that many of the people in oppositon to Carolinas Cement Company are NOT New Hanover County residents and many more do not own property or pay property taxes in New Hanover County.
Anonymous



Dear Doyle Family, please refer to the postcard you received...the post office was to deliver the cards by June 21, plenty of notice of the meeting. If you are going to complain, get your facts right. CCC didn't have anything to do with the post office delivery schedule, call your post office and complain...
a nhc resident



In response to a nhc resident: If you would read this site's own home page comment, you would note that MANY people did not receive dated mailings on time. Coincidence? Since the mailings have no postmark, there is absolutely no proof that these mailings took place before the actual advertised meetings. Regardless of fault, it is a bad reflection on the corporation and on local government. Titan wants to build in close proximity to a planned new school, and in a part of the county not serviced by public water systems. Wells are drying at all time record rates. Added poison is all we need. Before you sit in judgment, walk in our concerned shoes.
Anonymous



Let me get this straight...giving a company millions in tax dollars will lower taxes?! Instead of laughing at this joke, I offer proof to the opposite: Verizon Wireless was given ridiculous tax incentives to locate in New Hanover County and hasn't yet provided the number of promised jobs. GE was offered even more ridiculous tax incentives and readily admits the jobs they will offer will require flooding our county with out of town engineers--no jobs for locals-- who will demand services our tax dollars must support. This is a very slippery slope. In theory, growth is good. But as a resident of 44 years, I must say that more often then not, growth benefits a few on the backs of many. I've been a first hand witness to a great reduction in the quality of life in New Hanover County thanks to companies, government, and greedy developers.
Anonymous



I, as so many others, received my invitation for the meeting late. I neither oppose nor support your coming to Castle Hayne. I would have liked to listen to what the company and other residents had to say before I form an opinion. I hope delaying the mailing of the post cards was not a ploy to keep the opposition to a minimum. That would lead me to believe that the company had something to hide and was trying to manipulate the out come of the meeting. Please mail invitations on time so I can be at the next meeting. Thank you.
Rob Bode



I assure you that I am a New Hanover county resident, property owner, and taxpayer. I also assure you that I, along with many of my neighbors, do not want a cement manufacturer less than 5 miles down the road. There is nothing wrong with industry, the right kind of industry. Numerous companies manufacture products which could actually be beneficial to the public without harming the environment. Those are the type of companies that New Hanover county should be attempting to attract. The health of my family is not worth having a highly polluting industry down the road just to keep taxes down. Those of you who supposedly think this is a great idea, come & live next door to this & see how happy you are then.
Anonymous



Titan America: I am very curious as to why the company representatives backed out of the informational meeting scheduled on Monday 6/30/08 at UNCW? In regard to Titan's "advertisement" in the Star News on Sunday June 29th. Where are your sources? I would like a full list of the documents that provide these figures. Furthermore, Titan claims that "We will plant thousands and thousand of trees!" Could Titan please be more specific? How many trees and where will the trees be planted? Rather than continuing to expel millions of tons of C02 into the atmosphere each year, like every other cement plant, what is Titan doing to develop alternatives to cement? Lastly, why is Titan trying to dissuade the public about the dangers of a cement plant in Castle Hayne? Why did Titan not announce their meetings with the New Hanover County Commissioners 3 years ago when they began discussing plans to open a plant in Castle Hayne? If Titan wants to be transparent in the public eye, they have certainly done a terrible job doing so. The people of Wilmington have a right to openly discuss the grave ramifications of this proposed cement plant with Titan America. When does Titan plan to have an open forum with the public, which also includes representatives from the opposition? In sum, it is time to be transparent and not simply focus on the ECONOMIC aesthetics of such a plant being opened in New Hanover County. Thanks for setting up this blog. However, I think the pictures of the beach lining the right-hand column of this blog should be of cement plants. David Pinsky
David Pinsky



Are you building a new location in Arizona just north of Chino Valley off Hwy 89? If so what type of plant and when will it be done?
Anonymous



All this talk of building a plant out at Castle Hayne..... Dont you know that theres already a plant there? Been there from years ago, it closed down in the 1980's. Its not like theres a piece of land out there with just tress on it waiting to be dug up, also, that quarry that Titan wants to use, is still being mined by Martin Meratta today. Its funny to see that people are in an uproar over something thats already there and being used (even if its by a different comapny). Sounds like the Titan Americas people want to open the existing plant back up, NOT build one from scratch and use new land. That would also bring up the question of the other business's along that road too.... I dont hear anyone complaining about MM blasting in the quarry or are area right up the road form it, taking rock, etc. out of it. So whats different about Titan taking it over? Jason J. Leland, NC
Jason



I thought it was extremely unprofessional of Titan America to back out of the community forum scheduled for June 30 at UNCW. This illustrates a profound lack of consideration for those who planned to attend.
Anonymous



Eighty five acres of open land off Blue Clay Road (near Holly Road) is presently going through the re zoning process to move from low density residential use to light industrial use (Z 886). A move from low density residential to industrial use is a drastic zoning change and is highly unusual. This land is also located in our Aquifer Protection zone and possible industrial uses may injure our existing ground water resources. Does Titan Cement, through it's subsidiary Separation Technologies, plan to use this land or immediately adjacent land for a fly ash processing and storage area?
Anonymous



Thanks for your question regarding property re-zoning near Blue Clay Road. Titan does not own nor has any involvement with this real estate.
CCC



To Drew M. - thanks for clarifying your question about hurricanes and flooding. There will be no toxins or hazardous materials stored on site at the plant. In a worst case flooding situation, rock would get washed away, most likely back into the quarry where it came from. Also, the plant itself will be constructed to hurricane code, withstanding 130 mph winds (the same code as our Pennsuco plant).
CCC



Thanks for your question regarding a new location in Arizona just north of Chino Valley. This is not Titan's project.
CCC



will titan buy the cement terminal next to roanoke
john todd



Please reply to Mr. Pinksy's comment about the circumstances surrounding Titan's decision to pull out of the forum that was supposed to be held at UNCW on June 30. Surely the company was not honestly concerned about "security." Why was the company reluctant to address citizens' concerns about the proposed plant? Thank you.
Anonymous



My apologies for misspelling Mr. Pinsky's name in the previous comment.
Anonymous



Mr. Todd, thanks for your question about a terminal near Roanoke. We're a little confused by the question - I am not aware of aterminal near by our Roanoke plant. Please elaborate and I'll do my best to answer.
CCC



the cement terminal is beside the praposed site for the new cement plant in castle hayne
john todd



the terminal in question is fully operatinal and used to be part of the the old cement plant
john todd



Has a contractor for construction of the facility been selected at this time? If not, when will this process be complete?
Steve



The terminal John Todd is referring to is Cemex's terminal.
Anonymous



Thanks for clearing up the terminal question. We are not associated with Cemex.
CCC



Ilistened to your presentation on the radio this morning and I have one comment and one question. You had a representative from your Roanoke plant which is not located near the coast nor along a major river and does not mine critical wetlands. Why did you not have a representative from your plant in Florida on the discussion? I missed the date of your first public meeting. Can you let me know the date, location and times of each meeting. Thank you.
karen



I am concerned about mercury emissions from Titan America's Castle Hayne plant. Your air permit application lists 260 lbs of mercury/year as your legal limit. This seems excessive given that your Roanoke Plant emits 7 pounds/year and your Pennsuco Plant emits 90 pounds /year. Even given the differences in amounts of cement produced yearly this seems very high. What is the mercury concentration of the local limestone you will be mining? Thank you, AC
AC



Dear AC, Rest assured, we understand that residents have valid concerns and we share your concern for mercury emissions. It is never our intent to cause harm. We are currently evaluating the health effects of our emissions in order to be responsive to citizens’ concerns. This process requires special expertise and it will take time to fully understand and disseminate the results. We will share the results when the reports are available. Also, please note that the 260 lbs per year of mercury represents a potential to emit which is a calculation required in the air permitting process taking the maximum legal emission limit and applying it to the process running at full capacity, 24 hour hours a day, 7 days a week. This is not a realistic scenario, and therefore, it is reasonable to expect the actual mercury emissions will be less. Thanks for your question, AC. We promise to share our data as it becomes available. CCC
CCC



Good question, Karen! Roanoke Cement is nestled within a community setting, with farms, schools and homes near the plant. We thought it more closely resembled the setting for our new plant in Castle Hayne, so we invited RCC's plant manager to join the interview. We're active, involved member of the Roanoke community; we work together with our neighbors who consistently give us great reports. Please know we're also very proud of our Pennsuco plant, located in Medley, Fla. Pennsuco's state-of-the-art plant is the largest cement producer in Florida and among the most environmentally friendly in the world. If you have specific questions about Pennsuco, we will be pleased to answer them for you. CCC has planned three informational workshops to take place in the upcoming weeks at which we'll address topics such as environment, jobs, economic benefits and community involvement. Please plan to join us! Workshop dates and locations include: Tuesday, Sep. 16, 4 - 8 p.m. North Branch, Cape Fear Community College Castle Hayne Tuesday, Oct. 7, 4 - 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Cape Fear Community College Downtown Wilmington Monday, Oct. 27, 4 - 8 p.m. UNCW Executive Development Center Wilmington Thanks for your interest.
CCC



when are you looking to hire at the castle hayne plant
paul b



Hi Paul. You're welcome to stop by our recruitment office and fill in an application. Our office is at 4312 Henson Drive.
CCC



After researching your company on the internet, we are blessed that you have chosen our area to settle in. I understand you also have many ready mix concrete plants in the area and are very good stewards of the environment as well as committed to the highest of safety standards! Many areas cannot boast such an opportunity as your company is committing to. I live in Jacksonville, north of this location but am very much involved in the construction industry. This can only further help stimulate our economy up and down the coastal region. Onslow County embraces your efforts and hopes others will as well! God Bless Brother Bruce
Bruce



Please respond to my specific question: What is the mercury concentration of the local limestone you will be mining? Clicking on the column to the left "Why Castle Hayne?" you state that the "local limestone is chemically well suited for making cement." It is clear that the mercury analysis on the local limestone has already been completed and is available to you at this time. In addition, when I contacted North Carolina Air Quality, I was told that the 260 lbs mercury/year in your air quality permit application was calculated by Titan and was calculated knowing the amount of mercury coming into the plant from the local limestone source. Titan has said that they will be open and clear with the general public at all stages of this process. This is a clear and repectful question that should be specifically answered at this time. Thank you, AC
AC



You state that all cement kiln dust will be recycled back into the kiln. According to US EPA and PCA the most effective way to removal mercury from the process is to remove cement kiln dust at a predetermined time between raw mill on and raw mill off. How will the plant handle this dust? Additional, as EPA is discussing solid waste vs. alternative fuels definitions how does the facility plan on handling different fuels. We all live in the real world and in the future the facility will want ot reduce it's cost of coal by supplementing fuels with other engineered fuels so why is the company not addressing this now?
Future Earth



On the About titan America page it states that the facility in Florida produces 1.8M tons but the permit limit according to FDEP is 2.19M tons why the discrepany?
Earth Future



Thanks for your question, A.C. The reference to chemically well-suited limestone has to do with the primary cement constituents: calcium, aluminum, silica and iron in the raw materials, and the lack of deleterious constituents, such as magnesium. The potential to emit (PTE) in our air permit is not based on the mercury content of our raw materials. It is based on the current federal regulatory emission limit of 41 micrograms per dry standard cubic meter times the maximum production rate if the plant were running 24 hours a day 365 days per year. Of course, running the plant at this rate is unrealistic but it is how the PTE is required to be calculated. We are currently working with the NC Division of Air Quality on the permit application and will address such issues as the mercury emissions determinations and permit limits. We ask for your patience as the state regulatory agencies do their job.
CCC



Please respond. At other Titan cement plants around the U.S., what is the minimum zone/buffer between the facility and the nearest (public) school?
Anonymous



Thanks for your question regarding buffer space. Because our regulated emissions are deemed safe for all people, including children, there is no need for buffer space. Our emissions are less than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and the NC Air Toxics Standards. Please note: these health-based standards are conservative and have large factors of safety calculated into them. Therefore, the exposure to such emission levels will not present a health risk to the public. There are two schools situated near our Roanoke Cement Plant, one is approximately 4 miles and the other is approximately 5 miles from the plant.
CCC



Thanks, Future Earth, for the excellent question regarding kiln dust and alternate fuels. You may be interested to know that as a mercury reduction measure, the cement industry is looking into using kiln dust in ready-mix concrete or other products that would permanently bind the mercury. Regarding alternate fuels, Titan keeps track of all recent developments and scientific advances with alternative fuels. We will implement all proven technologies to improve our environmental and operational performances. Since CCC won't start operating for a few years, it is not possible to identify specific sources of alternate fuels yet. Also, it's important to note that any fuel changes would require amendments to the permit and would include public notification and an opportunity for public comment.
CCC



What is your timrline for thid project? When do you expect permitting to be resolved? When do you plan to select your process vendor and when do you plan to select the engineer and construction managers? I see that you anticipate 2011 or 2012 for commercial operation. Is this correct?
gary



I would like to apply for employment with carolinas cement . Please supply and address I can send my resume to . Thank you, Linda
Linda Rosado



Greetings, Earth Future! We are permitted to produce up to 2.19 M tons at our Pennsuco plant as a maximum limit. At this time, we simply choose not to produce that much cement.
CCC



Hi Linda! Stop by our recruitment office and fill in an application. Or, if you prefer, mail your resume. We're at 4312 Hensen Drive, Wilmington, N.C. 28405. You may wish to call ahead: 910-799-2840.
CCC



Hi Gary! We are currently in the process of doing our due diligence for obtaining permits. We expect the plant to start operating in 2011-2012.
CCC



Hell Titan I am curious about all the types of fuel you plan to use in the kilns. I understand cement kilns offer lots of flexibility in the types of material burned, which could be good for the manufacturer but perhaps not so good for the environment. What types of polution control devices would be on the tail-end (precipitators, scrubbers, etc)? I saw something stating "best available technology", which sounds great. I believe coal-fired power plants could reduce emissions significantly with best available technology, but it's very expensive so many have not embraced it. Finally, regarding the wetlands you need to disturb for construction and mining, are there plans to procure and/or restore wetlands in the nearby area so there is "no net loss"?
John Brinker



Good question, Mr. Brinker. We referred it to our Corporate Engineering Department for a comprehensive response: The current “best available control technology” based on proven technology and acceptance by the EPA that would apply to this facility are discussed below. A BACT analysis was included in our air permit application, and will be evaluated by the state and EPA as part of the permitting process. For particulate matter (PM) for stack sources the BACT is a filter fabric bag house that is at least 99.9% efficient. For sulfur oxides (SOx) the BACT is the inherent self-scrubbing of passing exhaust gasses through the raw materials where lime removes the SO2. Also as maybe needed, a dry lime injection system will be added for greater SOx removal. For nitrogen oxides (NOx) the BACT includes several technologies such as indirect firing of fuels, low-NOx burners, and staged combustion to reduce the formation of NOx in the system, and a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system to reduce NOx. For carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) the BACT is good combustion practices (GCP) to assure complete combustion of fuels and any organics that may be in the raw materials. It should be noted that the air permit will require continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) for each of the above emissions to ensure that permit limitations are being met. Regarding your question on the wetlands, our policy is always to avoid, minimize, mitigate.
CCC



how many will you employee
Anonymous



I am very much concerned about the amount of rail traffic your operation will create. I live in Castle Estates, right along the track, and am concerned about the disruption to our quality of life with increased rail traffic. Hearing a train whistle at 0300 is not very conducive to good operation stewardship. How much train traffic should we anticipate and at what hours can we expect to be awakened by the train whistle? Ken
Ken Wagoner



Would titan cement cancel their plans to build a cement plant here if there was evidence that the plant would have negative effects on our health and /or environment?
kemp



I will re-ask my question: Why did Titan representatives pull out from the forum at UNCW, and why did they also cancel their plans to attend the panel discussion on Wave Radio? It is interesting that this question still has yet to be addressed on this blog, even after another blogger asked CCC to also address my question. Why did Titan back out, and when will Titan discuss the proposed plant, in public, with representatives opposing the plant? I find it interesting that people are asking about employment opportunities at the plant, considering it is not scheduled to go online until 2012.
David Pinsky



I understand you do not have the values for the mercury concentration in the local limestone you will be mining from Castle Hayne because you have not yet completed the necessary measurements and calculations prior to cement production. When you complete these calculations will you please communicate this information to the general public. What is the mercury concentration in the local limestone at your Roanoke and Pennsuco plants which have been at full operation for a number of years? Thank you
AC



Dear AC - Regarding your question about limestone - this response comes from the good folks in our Corporate Engineering Department. We are still working to finalize chemical analyses on the materials to be used for the proposed Castle Hayne cement plant. Preliminary investigations indicate average mercury content in our limestone deposits of about 11 ppb (parts per billion). The mercury content in our Pennsuco limestone deposit is averaging 8.3 ppb (actual data from the last two years of operation). We do not measure Mercury in our Roanoke limestone deposit because past measurements indicated very low Mercury emissions and it is not required by our air permit. Thanks for your question!
Kate McClain



Mr. Pinsky - Thanks for resubmitting your e-mail. Because your question was of interest to the entire community we posted a response on the home page of our site where it resided for a couple of weeks; sorry you missed it but I'm happy to respond to it again. Let me emphasize: Our decision to decline participation in the StarNews forum does not mean we're unwilling to respond to questions. We believe the organizers of the forum had the best intentions when they invited us; as plans progressed it became apparent the event was turning into something other than an honest, open information exchange. Local citizens deserve to have their questions answered accurately and without distraction. As a result, we have organized the three public workshops described on the home page of this website. They are designed to provide accurate, factual information to the greatest number of people directly from our experts. We also speak regularly with groups and organizations throughout New Hanover County and neighboring communities - we've done so since the project was announced. Regarding our participation on WAAV 980 AM radio - two of our Titan experts participated on this show and answered dozens of questions submitted by WAAV's listeners. We found it interesting and informative. Lastly, your comment about individuals requesting employment information does not seem at all unusual to me. Unemployment is a major concern for many people right now - the state of the US economy is quite grim. The prospect of a robust business, generous economic benefits and many good jobs coming to the local economy is important to many people. Mr. Pinsky - please let me know if you still have questions. Blog again here or contact me personally at kmcclain@titanamerica.com. I sincerely appreciate your interest.
Kate McClain, CCC



I was very impressed with your Workshop that you held this past Tuesday evening! I am very excited about your Company moving to our area! I think that the way you have handled the Opposition groups is very professional, and proves what kind of intergrity Titan has. Looking forward to spreading the word, and going to the next workshop. On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to say Welcome To Wilmington!
Anonymous



Dear Kemp, I choose to begin the response to the question about abandoning the project with a bit of company background. Carolinas Cement is a part of the Titan Group which has a long, distinguished history of doing the right thing. As a Titan employee I can assure you that as part of our culture, we refer to our set of values every day, in our personal lives as well as in our business dealings. Our first value is safety; our second value is integrity. In short, ours is a trustworthy company. If that's not enough, there are multiple state and federal government agencies keeping close tabs on us. We are under constant scrutiny as these agencies manage a meticulous and stringent permitting process that exists to ensure Carolinas Cement will not be a threat to public health or the environment. As you may know, we need to obtain several permits before we can even begin construction, including an air permit from the state and a wetlands permit from the federal government. This process is underway and should be allowed to progress in the normal fashion. We are committed to presenting the facts throughout every step of the process.
Kate McClain



Thank you for responding to the question regarding proximity of (public) schools (although you only specified the Roanoke site, and excluded the Pennsuco Plant). You indicated that there are 2 schools located near the Roanoke plant, approximately 4 and 5 miles (respectively) from the site. Would you please specify the schools to which you refer? Greenfield Elementary is located approximately 5 miles from the cement plant, and Troutville Elementary is reported as 12 miles from the site.
Anonymous



Recently the EPA requested information from major cement kilns to determine if self reporting of mercury emissions using the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) system was a valid indicator for reporting mercury emissions. Several well known and respected companies were found to inadvertently be underestimating their mercury emissions using TRI reporting, in some cases by thousands of pounds annually. Titan America's Roanoke and Pennsuco plants were not included in this EPA study. Titan America's annual mercury releases are reported using the TRI system that has been shown in some cases to significantly under report mercury emissions. Two specific questions: 1. Why was Titan America not included in the EPA mercury input study? 2. To verify the accuracy of your TRI reporting at your presently producing plants, would Titan America supply similar mercury input data for independent verification at this time? Thank You, AC
AC



Dear Ms. McClain: What is Titan's response to opposition by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to the siting of the proposed plant in such an environmentally sensitive area? Also consider the opposition to the plant by some important NC politicians and candidates for office. Isn't this a pretty good indication that Titan should not seek to build a cement plant in such a fragile wetland ecosystem?>
Interested NHC resident



Hello, again, AC! This response comes from our Corporate Engineering Department. Titan was not included in that information request because the EPA only requested data from the manufacturers with a large number of kilns in the US. They usually will ask the top 10 to 12 producers (national total production). At Pennsuco the mercury amount reported for TRI is actually based on raw material input data which is exactly what we report to the State based on our current permit requirements. All tests are performed by a third party independent laboratory. At Roanoke Cement, the mercury amount reported for TRI is based on actual stack emissions measurements performed as part of our permit compliance requirements. We do not analyze our raw materials for mercury input since our Roanoke Plant has an alkali by-pass system that makes the operation more complex than the system at Pennsuco. We would like to invite you to visit our Roanoke facility. We can explain the details of this operation and why mercury input from the raw materials cannot correlate directly to stack emissions. Thanks for your question. >
Kate McClain



Hello! Regarding schools near our Roanoke plant - Greenfield Elementary and Lord Boutetourt High School are both approximately five miles away - Troutville Elementary is a bit further, nearly 12 miles away. Our Pennsuco plant is located in a far more densely populated area than Roanoke or Castle Hayne. There are more than 100 schools (K through 12) seven miles or closer in the City of Medley and the nearby communities of Hialeah, Miami Springs and Doral.>
Kate McClain



Greetings, Interested NHC Resident! As you're probably aware, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted a document to the Corps of Engineers that stated that select areas within Carolinas Cements' 1,888 acre site were unmitigatable. These letters were submitted as a normal part of the EIS process, not as a protest. The area in question refers only to the property bordering the Northeast Cape Fear River and Island Creek - it makes up only about 12 percent of the proposed site. We'll proceed with our due diligence and allow these studies to be thoroughly conducted. >
Kate McClain



How have you remained so patient with the enviromentalists acting so rudely towards something that will benefit our area so positively? i applaude your efforts and hope you will build here in S.E. NC sooner than later!!>
Jim Chisum



Thank you, Mr. Chisum! We're excited about our new plant. Your kinds words are appreciated.>
Kate McClain



What is you mitigation plan for the loss of wetlands. What is your mitigation ratio - i.e. 10 acres mitigated for one destroyed.>
Clem Bribitzer



Thanks for your question, Mr. Bribitzer. Our plans for mitigation are quite simple - avoid, minimize and mitigate. This is a part of the EIS process we'll be undergoing with the Corps for the next several months and it's far too early to know these specifications.>
Kate McClain



An article in the Star News today (January 7, 2009) stated that fly ash is often contaminated with mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium. One of my friends attended one of your workshops and was told by a senoir engineer that Titan plans on using fly ash that is presently stored at the Sutton Power plant as a raw material to be mixed with limestone in producing your cement in Castle Hayne. What are the concentrations of mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium in the fly ash you plan to use? Are you presently using any fly ash at your Roanoke and Pennsuco plants and if so what is the concentration of these materials in those sources? Thanks, AC >
Anonymous