Lehigh Southwest Cement Company - Cement Plant in Cupertino, California

Lehigh Southwest Cement Company is a cement plant located at 24001 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, California, in Santa Clara County. As a cement manufacturing facility, it produces clinker and cement products for regional construction and infrastructure projects. The plant is operational and represents a significant industrial facility within the San Francisco Bay Area. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) for emissions, Clean Water Act (CWA) for water discharges, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for waste management. Cement plants are subject to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). The plant's NAICS codes (212312, 212319, 212399, 327310) indicate involvement in crushed stone mining and cement manufacturing. Cement production is energy-intensive and generates significant CO2 emissions from calcination and fuel combustion. The plant's location in Cupertino, near residential areas, necessitates stringent pollution controls. The facility contributes to local employment and the regional supply of construction materials, but also faces environmental scrutiny regarding air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

Cement plants are among the largest industrial sources of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides. In California, facilities must comply with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations, including cap-and-trade for greenhouse gases. The Cupertino area has a Mediterranean climate with moderate air quality concerns, and the plant's proximity to Silicon Valley communities increases pressure for emission reductions. Water usage for cooling and dust suppression is regulated under the CWA, and stormwater runoff must be managed to protect local waterways.