Community to protest Ash Grove request to burn more tires - 11/21

Georgetown air quality may be negatively impacted by increased tire burning from the Ash Grove Cement Company. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) has been reviewing Ash Grove's requested permit modification, which would remove the 30% daily limit of burning tires for fuel, representing a potential increase in dangerous emissions for the Duwamish Valley.

Despite objections from the Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC), Georgetown Community Council and community members that received city-wide attention this fall, the PSCAA on October 8th advanced the permit review process by sending the Modification to the Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 (EPA R10), beginning a 45 day review period by the EPA.

If EPA R10 does not heed community feedback and opposition, PSCAA could be allowed to release the Final Permit Modification, thereby implementing the change to Ash Grove's permit any time after November 21st and enabling burning more tires for fuel.

To make community voices heard, DRCC is organizing a protest at the PSCAA Headquarters (1904 3rd Ave, Seattle, 98101) from 4 - 5:30pm on Friday, November 21st, demanding the three C's:

• Consultation with overburdened and environmental justice communities

• Commitments to public health and environmental justice communities upheld (from PSCAA Strategic Plan)

• Concurrence with Federal Clean Air Act regulations