The House has approved legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to revisit its cement emissions regulation. The House cleared the bill on Oct. 6 by a 262-161 vote.
EPA's final rule, which would cut emissions from cement manufacturing plants by requiring use of "maximum achievable" technology, is slated to go into effect in September 2013.
But proponents of the legislation, such as the Portland Cement Association (PCA), say the rule's timetable is unrealistic and would force as much as 20% of the currently operating cement plants to shut down.
But the bill, which is opposed by environmental and public-health groups, faces an uphill battle in the Senate, PCA says.
