That's a heck of a fine.

The PE reports that TXI Oro Grande plant which manufactures cement near Victorille "will pay $394,000 and shut down seven 50-year-old kilns as part of a proposed settlement this week with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which had sued the company for alleged violations of federal Clean Air Act." The plant apparently is going to test a $385,000,000 kiln to replace the polluting variation.

Hmmm. Obviously, down the hill in the basin, particulates get trapped by the geography and can really foul the air. I can see the EPA taking action down here. Can someone explain how it is that it makes financial sense to require a cement manufacturer to spend $385,000,000 to reduce particulates when there's nothing but open space?

It seems only two things can come from such actions: Consumers pay more for concrete to pay for the $385,000,000 or the plant shuts down because it can't afford to pay $385,000,000. Neither are desirable, but the question is whether a reduction in particulates in an area without a particulate problem is a good use of government authority.