Pennsylvania producers host EPA chief to further Smart Sectors action

Sources: Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association, Harrisburg; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association Chairman Rod Martin (Martin Stone Quarries) have signed a four-year, first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize a partnership pursuing environmental stewardship. It expands EPA and PACA activities to prioritize funding, coordinate on regulatory programs, recognize concrete and aggregate industry members for environmental performance, and enhance opportunities for open dialogue.

The signing was staged at the Bryan Materials Southside plant in Pittsburgh on October 7, the third anniversary of the EPA Smart Sectors launch. The program provides a platform to collaborate with regulated sectors and develop sensible approaches that better protect the environment and public health. 

“Our products are essential and critical to building and connecting communities in Pennsylvania,” said Martin. “The MOU is our commitment to open dialogue and partnership with EPA to deliver environmental stewardship through common sense solutions.”

“This agreement builds on the actions our agencies are taking together and with the broader concrete and aggregate community to promote a vibrant economy, clean air, clean water and unprecedented environmental stewardship,” added EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. 

The Mid-Atlantic Region began Smart Sectors activities in 2019 and is the only one of 10 EPA regions with a Cement & Concrete program. Smart Sectors launched in 2017 with Cement & Concrete, Construction and 11 other industrial businesses; signature accomplishments thus far include development of data driven snapshots for each. The web-based snapshots show historical environmental and economic performance on a sector basis, Cement & Concrete posted here.

agreement signing
Rod Martin (left) and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler formalize the PACA and Agency partnership.

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