Dive summary:

• Kansas-based Ash Grove Cement Co. has signed a consent decree in federal court that will end action by the Environmental Protection Agency over air emissions from the company's nine plants in the U.S.
• Ash said the settlement was preferable to a continuing court battle, though the decree requires it to pay a $2.5 million penalty and spend $30 million on air-quality controls.
• The company will cut 17,000 tons annually of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in emissions from its portland cement plants in Foreman, Ark.; Inkom, Idaho; Chanute, Kan.; Clancy, Mont.; Louisville, Neb.; Durkee, Ore.; Leamington, Utah; Seattle; and Midlothian, Texas.

From the article:

"Rather than continue the debate, we believe that our effort is better spent collaborating on ways to further reduce our environmental footprint, which is the path we chose by signing this agreement.” ...