美國聯邦政府根據「空氣清淨法」（CAA）首度針對波特蘭兩間設廠伊利諾州迪克森（Dixon）附近的水泥公司祭出$800,000罰鍰並要求安裝防污系統，以減低廢氣排放。
美國司法部（The U.S. Justice Department）與環保署（Environmental Protection Agency）8日發出聲明公佈這項和解案：聖瑪麗（St. Marys Cement Inc.）與聖芭芭拉水泥公司（St. Barbara Cement Inc.）已承諾於2009年4月30前啟用空污控制裝置，屆時北伊利若洲的迪克森水泥廠內四條生產線至少三條要達減量標準。
「這項附帶先決條款的和解案，在波特蘭水泥業算是第一遭，」美國聯邦司法部環境與自然資源組的助理首席檢察長譚帕斯（Ronald Tenpas）表示：「我們很高興，有了這項約束後再不需透過複雜的訴訟與冗長時間，即可產生重大環境效益。」
這兩間公司雖未表明承擔空污之責，但皆同意更替迪克森廠的爐子，輔以高科技以減少氣體排放量，或者永久關廠。聯邦機構坦言，此舉將減低每年約2,700公噸的氮氧化合濃霧產生。
由於違法排放強況普遍，加上大量的氮氧化合物與二氧化硫排入大氣，美國環保署自2006年積極稽查波特蘭公司在全美各地的水泥廠，督察是否有違反清淨空氣法的情況。
In the first settlement secured by the federal government in its enforcement of the Clean Air Act to reduce air emissions from Portland cement plants, two companies that own and operate a cement plant near Dixon, Illinois will pay an $800,000 civil penalty and install pollution controls.
The U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that St. Marys Cement Inc. and St. Barbara Cement Inc. have agreed to have pollution control equipment in operation by April 30, 2009, and from then on to achieve required emission reductions at three of the four cement production lines at their Dixon facility located in north-central Illinois.
"This precedent-setting settlement is the first for the Portland cement industry," said Ronald Tenpas, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "We are pleased that this settlement will provide important environmental benefits without the need for complicated and prolonged litigation."
Without admitting liability, the two companies have agreed to replace a kiln at the Dixon plant with technology to reduce emissions or to permanently shut it down. These actions will reduce combined emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides by approximately 2,700 tons each year, the federal agencies said.
In 2006, EPA began to focus on improving compliance with the Clean Air Act at Portland cement manufacturing facilities across the country due to widespread noncompliance and significant amounts of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emitted during the manufacturing process.
