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CEMENT AMERICAS • Winter 2015 • www.cementamericas.com FEATURE PCA/CA AWARDS 10 S ix cement plants received special recognition for their commitment to improving the environment and their communities at the 14th Annual Cement Industry Environment and Energy Awards, presented by the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine at PCA's Fall Meeting in Chicago. The awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improve- ment and support this spirit with ac- tion. These plants went beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes and policies contributed to making their communities better places to live and work. "Although it is one of the most highly regulated industry sectors in North America, cement companies are consistently challenging manufactur- ing policies and procedures and are on the forefront of new technologies to make their plants more energy ef- ficient and to become better stew- ards of the land and resources," said Cary Cohrs, chairman of the PCA Board of Directors. "Making a quality product is not enough. These and other cement companies take extra steps to ensure their communities are excellent places to work, live and learn." Six categories recognized plants throughout the United States: Overall Environmental Excellence, Outreach, Environmental Performance, Land Stewardship, Innovation and Energy Efficiency. Twenty-one North Ameri- can cement plants were nominated for the awards. The awards program was created in 2000 by the PCA as part of its envi- ronment and energy strategic plan for the U.S. cement industry. The awards honor activities conducted during the previous calendar year, and the program is open to any ce- ment manufacturing plant in North America. Judges for the 2013 awards program included representatives from U.S. EPA-Energy Star, Wildlife Habitat Council, U.S. Geological Sur- vey, World Wildlife Fund, and Cement Americas . OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE Winner: Titan America LLC, Roanoke Cement Co., Troutville, Va. The Overall Environmental Excellence Award recognizes a cement facility that demonstrates excellence in sev- eral or each of the judged categories. The Roanoke Cement Co. Troutville cement plant was also a runner-up in the Outreach category, which recog- nizes facilities that strive to enhance community, employee, and govern- ment relations through innovative communications and programs. The Troutville plant had several ac- complishments throughout the year that resulted in positive changes to the land on and around the plant. In June 2013, the plant announced that it had received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star cer- tification for the seventh consecutive year. The award recognizes that the facility performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide. It was also recognized for their commend- able wildlife habitat management and environmental education programs by The Wildlife Council's Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification/Interna- tional Accreditation Program. With the expansion of the plant's east limestone quarry the Troutville facility allotted 98 acres of its land as a ri- parian buffer, to enhance and pre- serve the Catawba Creek water quality. Along with constructing two miles of cattle exclusion fencing 200 ft. from the bank, and localized stream bank grading to the original contour of the land, more than 16,000 native shrub and trees will be planted on a two-mile stretch of the creek. Additionally, for the past eight years the Troutville plant has dedi- cated a Catawba Creek Clean Up day for collecting and disposing of waste collected around the stream. The Troutville plant understands and embraces its obligation to continu- ously lower energy consumption as it endeavors to be leaders in sustain- ability and environmental steward- ship within the cement industry. Initiatives for achieving future energy reductions include: reducing or elim- inating the use of inefficient or un- necessary lighting, maximizing the use of alternative fuels and targeting other cooling fans as candidates for VFD upgrades. OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE Runner Up: Lehigh Hanson Inc., Union Bridge, Md. The Lehigh Cement Co. Union Bridge plant is also the winner of the Envi- ronmental Performance Award (see pg. 10) and a runner up for the En- ergy Efficiency Award. As part of a voluntary initiative developed with the Maryland Department of the En- vironment, the plant developed an accelerated plan mercury emission compliance plant that would protect and enhance the Chesapeake Bay 2014 PCA Energy & Environmental Awards