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Issue link: https://rock.epubxp.com/i/433535
www.rockproducts.com ROCK products • DECEMBER 2014 61 tions representing a broad swath of industries and interests are asking for the rule to be withdrawn. The association comments specifically focused on the impact on small business, as 70 per‐ cent of the association's members meet that criteria. "The proposed rule may force small aggregates companies to delay or even drop plans to expand in areas where reserves are located. That could have a major ripple effect on the ability of these operators to meet the needs of their customers, poten‐ tially affecting many programs such as highways, home build‐ ing, flood control and environmental restoration. Many of these operators provide materials for rural areas, thus affecting other small businesses such as farmers and ranchers," the submis‐ sion stated. Ken Kopocis, deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Water, said that the agency wants to finalize the Clean Water Act jurisdictional rule by the summer of 2015. He noted that the agency has received 400,000 comments on the proposed rule. Other rules on the EPA agenda include greenhouse gas emis‐ sions standards for existing power plants; the second phase of fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for medium and heavy‐duty trucks – model year 2018 and beyond; the rule addressing the national ambient air quality standards for ozone; and the 2015 renewable fuel standards. In other EPA news, Copar Quarries of Bradford, R.I. has agreed to settle claims that it violated federal clean air standards. According to a complaint filed by EPA's New England office, Copar Quarries failed to conduct the required emissions test‐ ing, keep proper inspection log books, and notify EPA when it began operating several pieces of equipment in 2011. The company operates a portable stone crushing and gravel pro‐ cessing plant with several crushers and screeners. Copar's facil‐ ity operates on about 150 acres near residential properties. With the capacity to crush more than 150 tph of stone, Copar is subject to the federal standards established under the Clean Air Act for non‐metallic mineral processing operations. EPA asserted that the company violated these standards by failing to notify the agency when it started operations and by failing to do the required emissions testing. In addition, the company did not keep a logbook of inspections and corrective actions on its wet suppression system designed to control emissions of particulate matter and reduce dust. Copar has since corrected the violations identified by EPA, which will help to reduce Copar's emissions of particulate mat‐ ter to the air in the surrounding community. E