Attorney General's News Release

January 22, 2010

Attorney General Koster says Missouri is part of national Clean Air Act enforcement

-- Sugar Creek cement plant included in action --

Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Chris Koster today said Missouri has joined an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) national enforcement initiative under the Clean Air Act to eliminate violations by Lafarge North America, Inc, and two of its subsidiaries at their cement manufacturing plans across the country, including in Sugar Creek.

Koster said Missouri, the EPA, and several other states are asking the court to approve a consent decree that requires the Lafarge companies to upgrade controls on emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) at the facilities. Nitrogen oxide emissions contribute to the formation of ozone during the summer. Sulfur dioxide emissions can cause acid rain.

"Protecting Missouri's environment is one of the priorities of this Attorney General's office," Koster said. "We will take every opportunity not only to seek penalties against those who pollute, but also to use the law to force them to change their way of doing business."

As part of the consent decree, Missouri will receive a civil penalty of $55,250, to be paid to the Jackson County School Fund.