The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is holding one of only three
national public hearings at the DFW
Airport Grand Hyatt Hotel (inside Terminal
D) on Wednesday, June 17,
from 10 AM to 8 PM, to take testimony on proposed
EPA rules that would make major reductions in emissions
of air pollution from cement kilns. Several of these kilns are located
in North Texas and contribute to dirty air in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area. Among the air emissions
that would be reduced are particulate matter (soot),
hydrochloric acid, and the chemicals that cause
smog to form.
The proposed rules would
also put the first ever limits on cement kiln
emissions of mercury, a dangerous
neurotoxin that is particularly harmful to children.
Mercury interferes with the brain and nervous system
and can affect blood pressure, fertility, and memory.
The cement industry is making
a determined effort to kill these new rules.EPA
needs a strong demonstration of public support
to move forward with adoption of these proposals. The deadline for comments on
the proposed rules has been extended to September
4, and Sierra Club will provide information later
about how you may file written comments.
Right now, however, we are
urging North Texans to turn out in force for
the EPA hearing on Wednesday, June 17 to lend
your voice to those of your neighbors who will
be making brief comments in support of the rules. You don’t have to prepare remarks.
Just tell EPA why you want clean air for your community
and urge them to adopt the proposed rules to curb
air pollution from cement plants. If you want more
detail and talking points, here
is the background.
If you attend the hearing,
you can park for free in the Grand Hyatt parking
garage directly in front of Terminal D (EPA will hand out Grand Hyatt parking
passes). The EPA hearing is in “Americas
Ballroom” A, B, and C, directly across the
hall from the elevators on the Lower Level (LL)
of the Terminal.
For those who come in the morning, there will
be a citizens’ press conference at 9:30 AM
in the conference room directly across the hall
form the EPA hearing.
Please take this advantage of this opportunity
to demonstrate your support for cleaning the air
in North Texas! Spread the word to your neighbors
and friends.
