Oro Grande, CA, November 14, 2019 – CalPortland announces additional implementation of modern-technology industrial “low-emission” equipment at the Oro Grande cement plant following the commissioning of the new cement finish mill and loadout facilities in May 2019. With the assistance of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD), the company advances its campaign of replacing equipment with more modern, efficient, low-emission technology to improve the High Desert’s air quality.

MDAQMD recently awarded the company a $175,000 grant to assist the Oro Grande cement facility with the replacement of a 1999 TEREX Bore/Drill rig with a 2019 Caterpillar MD2650 Drill. The new equipment is expected to provide a collective 76% average reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx), reactive organic gases (ROG) and particulate matter (PM).

“CalPortland continues to be a community partner that is aggressive in their efforts to reduce emissions,” said Brad Poiriez, MDAQMD’s Executive Director, “and we hope they continue to serve as an example to others to explore the options the District can provide in creating a healthier environment for our residents.”

The grant funding comes from the Carl Moyer Program, which provides monetary grants to private companies and public agencies to clean up their heavy-duty engines beyond what’s required by law through retrofitting, repowering or replacing their engines with newer and cleaner ones.

“CalPortland continues to seek out opportunities to save energy and lower our carbon footprint by reducing emissions in the communities where we operate,” said Bruce Shafer, Senior Vice President Cement Operations, CalPortland. “Partnering with the MDAQMD has allowed the company to replace older technology with a more efficient drill that significantly reduces emissions.”

The acquisition of efficient low-emission technology contributes to position the Oro Grande cement plant as one of the most efficient cement production facilities in the United States. The plant optimizes energy efficiency using state-of-the-art technology and equipment.

The Oro Grande cement plant was awarded the 2018 ENERGY STAR® Plant Certification for Superior Energy Efficiency and was a major contributor to the award of the national 2019 ENERGY STAR PARNER OF THE YEAR – Sustained Excellence Award presented to CalPortland by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy in April 2019.

About CalPortland

CalPortland Company is a major producer of cement, ready mixed concrete, aggregates, concrete products and asphalt in the western United States and Canada. Founded in 1891 with the principle of providing unsurpassed quality, CalPortland remains a leader in the industry through its commitment to quality, safety, customer service, technical excellence and environmental leadership. The company maintains its headquarters in Glendora, California and operates in the Western U.S. and two Canadian Provinces. For more information about CalPortland Company, visit www.calportland.com.

About MDAQMD

MDAQMD is the air pollution control authority and permitting agency for the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County and the Palo Verde Valley in Riverside County. It’s governed by a board of 13 members representing nine incorporated municipalities and two counties within its boundaries.