DEP’s Air Division Recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

“Florida is one of only three states east of the Mississippi River to meet all national ambient air quality standards established by the EPA to protect public health, including air quality standards for ground-level ozone,” said DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy Mike Sole. “By working with regulated industries such as cement, we can adopt more effective technologies to protect Florida’s air quality.”

In 2004, DEP permitted the Suwannee American Cement plant, allowing them to install a nitrogen oxides (NOx) control demonstration project at their facility. This was the first cement plant permit in the United States requiring the use of state-of-the-art NOx control technology called selective non-catalytic reduction, which involves the injection of ammonia to reduce NOx emissions. Controlling NOx emissions helps prevent the formation of ozone.

In addition, DEP was the first in the nation to require continuous emission monitoring for mercury at new cement facilities. Part of DEP’s air permits issued to Sumter Cement and American Cement in Sumter County, the state-of-the-art monitors will provide mercury emissions data that will help both government agencies and private operators throughout the country better understand potential ways of controlling mercury emissions.

The Division of Air Resource Management's mission is to protect, conserve and restore the air resources of the state with the primary goal of protecting human health. The Division implements the federal Clean Air Act and appropriate Florida Statutes, monitors the state’s air quality, administers Florida’s air pollution control programs to provide more protection with less process and promotes pollution prevention. DEP coordinates with other local, state and federal air quality programs to ensure clean air for Florida’s citizens.

For more information on Florida’s air, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/air.