YES - IT PAYS TO BE THE 900 POUND GORILLA

APC/ADEQ settlement ends four-year dioxin dispute - By Philip S. Moore, Inside Tucson Business - Posted: Friday, Nov 24, 2006 - Arizona Portland Cement will be paying the state a fine of $300,000 for ongoing dioxin emissions from the plant, far in excess of state air quality standards. It could have been a lot worse for the company. With the potential for civil penalties totaling more than $2.4 million, the settlement with the Arizona Attorney General and Department of Environmental Quality was described the lowest possible, under the circumstances.

YES - IT PAYS TO BE THE 900 POUND GORILLA . . .

In comparison to the fines levied by Maricopa County Air Quality recently reported in the Arizona Republic against a select number of “small” businesses in Maricopa County for their apparent violation of air quality standards, the payment of $300,000 by Arizona Portland Cement outside of Tucson is merely a dime against a dollar. In the standard of fairness and equity, the “small” Maricopa County businesses got screwed and royally.

Moreover, just conveniently Maricopa County Air Quality did not punish or extract any fine from any developer, road contractor, SRP, APS, “Corporate” farmer or any of the other 900 pound gorilla for their contribution to our diminishing air quality.

And you still believe serves and looks out for your interests … ?

Yea, right.