Southeast Missouri Business NEWS & VIEWS...
NEW ST. GENEVIEVE CEMENT
PLANT ON HOLD...
A Swiss company, Holnam, Inc. planning to build one of the world's largest cement plants in St. Genevieve County along the Mississippi River has put immediate construction plans on hold while a state commission learns more about the company and more closely examines the huge project and it's impact on the air, soil and water qualities.
Holnam, obviously a cement manufacturing giant has 12 factories in the United States. In addition, Holnam controls 13 percent of the nation's cement market, which is the largest share of any company. Worldwide, the company also owns factories in 70 countries.
The prospective site includes 3,900 acres next to the river, about 45 miles south of St. Louis. The Land Reclamation Commission voted 3-2 last week to postpone the application. The Swiss company wants to build a $600 million factory on the location, in which they anticipate production of more than 4.4 million tons of cement per year.
Even though the plant would produce pollution, which has Missouri air-quality officials concerned, Holnam officials say their high-tech facility will be cleaner than many existing plants. The company also has applied for state and federal permits to discharge pollutants and to build a harbor for loading barges.
The setback for the project was caused by feelings of a majority of the Clean Water Commission that it should consider the company's request along with Holnam's application to mine a 1,700-acre chunk of the site. The commission could consider the full request later this year. Also, a recent court ruling has set new guidelines requiring the commission to consider an applicant's environmental record.
State officials have been quoted to say that Holnam has been cited a handful of times for violating its air, water and hazardous waste permits in Clarksville, Missouri, it's nearest cement manufacturing operation to the prospective site. Officials said none of the violations have been major.
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