CEMEX unveils new locomotive at Victorville cement plant

Developed by Knoxville Locomotive Works and equipped with a MTU-4000 Series engine, the locomotive was designed to reduce emissions by more than 80% and fuel consumption by 25%. It was opened for one day for local dignitaries to tour. It will be used to transport clinker at the operation and can provide more than 3200 hp from an ultra-low emitting single engine, designed to meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board Tier 4 Emissions requirements. It is expected that the locomotive will reduce emissions by 34 tpy.

The Victorville plant also has other initiatives onsite, which promote sustainability and conservation. The plant also has four wind turbines that offset thousands of tonnes of emissions each year, while fulfilling approximately 6% of the operation’s energy needs. The plant has received the EPA’s ENERGY STAR^® certification for 7 consecutive years and it is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste by replacing 20% of traditional fuels with alternative and renewable resources.

The company has noted that a portion of the cost of the new locomotive was covered by a federal grant, which was secured with the assistance of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.

“Sustainability is embedded in our DNA at CEMEX and this new locomotive illustrates that,” said Carlos Uruchurtu, Vice President of Cement Manufacturing for the West Region at CEMEX USA. “Throughout our history at Victorville, we have made great strides in reducing our environmental footprint, with increased reliance on renewable resources, and this new locomotive furthers our efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions.”

“CEMEX continuously evaluates our operations and technologies to further our commitment to sustainability as we strive to be a good neighbour in our communities,” said Dr Hugo Bolio, Executive Vice President of Cement Operations and Technology at CEMEX USA. “The commitment extends across all our operations, and our Victorville cement plant is an example of what can be done when businesses and communities work together.”

“We are honoured to partner with a company whose facility has been a mainstay in the Victor Valley Community for more than 100 years,” said Brad Poiriez, Executive Director of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District. “To see a company with such history embrace the future and the environment through this emission-reducing technology is very gratifying. We hope other local organisations follow suit.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/05032019/cemex-unveils-new-locomotive-at-victorville-cement-plant/