Firm escapes action over emission
February 24, 2005
No action will be taken against a firm over a malfunction that released dust from its Rugby cement plant.
Nearly 50 people complained to the Environment Agency over the incident at RMC which happened in May 2004.
Householders woke to find their homes, cars and gardens covered in a white deposit of chalk and clay.
The Environment Agency concluded that the company had taken all reasonable steps to prevent a release and it had not breached the terms of its permit.
The dust cloud was emitted as a blockage was being cleaned out, and blew across from the plant.
Tyre burning
The Agency says it recognises that residents may be disappointed with the decision.
However, it says it has insisted that RMC learns lessons from the incident and modifes procedures so it does not happen again.
Meanwhile the Environment Agency is considering a company plan that could see the resumption of tyre-burning for fuel at the Rugby cement plant.
The controversial trials were stopped in June 2004 when emission levels were found to be too high.
The Agency will consider the progress made in meeting its requirements in March.
If the work plan is satisfactory, the agency will consider allowing RMC to resume burning tyres.
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