EPA Considers Cleaner Rules for Eastern Kern Cement Kilns
Published Date: 6/4/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA wants to approve new rules for Portland cement kilns in Eastern Kern, California, to cut down on pollution from nitrogen oxides (NOX). This change helps clean the air and follows the Clean Air Act. If you have thoughts, send them by July 7, 2025—this could affect local businesses but aims to protect everyone's health.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New NOX limit for kiln normal operations
Portland cement kiln operators in Eastern Kern must meet a NOX emission limit of 2.8 pounds of NOX per ton of clinker averaged over a 30-operating day rolling period (as adopted November 13, 2024 and submitted December 12, 2024). This numerical operational limit will be incorporated into the federally enforceable SIP if EPA finalizes approval.
Startup/shutdown and breakdown rule changes
The rule removes exemptions for startup, shutdown, and breakdown, replaces them with an alternative NOX mass limit of 21,528 pounds of NOX per day during startup and shutdown, requires daily recording of startup and shutdown NOX emission rates, and revises the definitions of "startup" and "shutdown" to align with 40 CFR 63.1341. These changes were adopted November 13, 2024 and submitted December 12, 2024.
Reduced NOX to improve local air quality
EPA says NOX emissions contribute to ground-level ozone, smog, and particulate matter that harm human health and the environment; the revised Rule 425.3 is intended to establish RACT-level NOX controls for Portland cement kilns in the Eastern Kern ozone nonattainment area to help address those problems. The rule (as revised November 13, 2024) targets compliance consistent with CAA RACT requirements for the area.
Regulatory relief if EPA finalizes approval
If EPA finalizes approval of the November 13, 2024 Rule 425.3 submission, that version will be incorporated into the federally enforceable SIP and EPA states that all associated sanctions and Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) clocks started by the June 5, 2023 limited disapproval would be permanently stopped and any already applied sanctions would be permanently lifted.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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