Orcem Americas – a subsidiary of Irish cement maker, Ecocem – has said it is to appeal a decision to refuse the company planning permission to build a grinding mill in Vallejo, California. The proposed mill would process imported ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS).
According to the Irish Times, the appeal argues that the commission relied on “subjective and arbitrary judgments” in reaching its conclusion. “Those judgments were made as a result of unfair hearing process orchestrated by biased staff.”
The €45 million mill would be located on the site of an old flour mill within the Vallejo Marine Terminal (VMT), and import blastfurnace slag from the Far East. The project is a key part of a plan to redevelop the VMT for industrial use, a plan that was also rejected by the planning commission.
The Vellejo planning commission rejected Orcem America’s plan earlier this month on a 6-1 vote, shortly after city officials recommended the commission refuse permission on a number of grounds, including increased traffic and pollution.