GCC Rio Grande Cement Plant, Tijeras, New Mexico | United States

GCC Rio Grande is a cement plant situated in Tijeras, New Mexico, within Bernalillo County. As a cement manufacturing facility, it falls under NAICS code 327310, which covers the production of cement from raw materials such as limestone, clay, and shale. The plant is operational and serves the regional construction industry. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces the Clean Air Act (CAA) for emissions, the Clean Water Act (CWA) for water discharges, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for waste management. Cement plants are subject to specific New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Portland cement manufacturing industry. Cement production is energy-intensive and generates significant CO2 emissions from both fuel combustion and the calcination process. The plant's location in New Mexico places it in a region with growing demand for construction materials, and its operations contribute to local economic activity while requiring careful environmental management to mitigate air and water impacts.

Cement plants are significant sources of air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. The calcination process releases CO2 from limestone decomposition, making cement production a major industrial source of greenhouse gases. Water use for cooling and dust suppression can affect local water resources. Proximity to communities in Tijeras and the greater Albuquerque area necessitates compliance with EPA air quality standards and community right-to-know reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).