Exhibit 99.1
[LOGO OF TXI]
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1341 West Mockingbird Lane . Dallas, Texas 75247 . 972.647.6700 . www.txi.com
D. Randall Jones
Vice President
Corporate Communications
and Government Affairs
972.647.6701
TCEQ APPROVES
TXI'S PERMIT MODIFICATION
DALLAS, September 29, 2005 -- Dallas-based Texas Industries, Inc. (NYSE: TXI)
announced today that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has
approved a permit modification to adjust the usage of an air pollution device on
one of the cement kilns at its Midlothian Cement Plant while allowing for
increased production. At their regularly scheduled agenda meeting on September
28, the TCEQ's Executive Director recommended the permit be approved after a
settlement was reached between concerned local citizens. The participating
parties agreed to resolve the matter in dispute to avoid a costly, distracting
and unnecessary hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
"I compliment the efforts of our employees, the TCEQ and concerned local
citizens," said Mel Brekhus, President and CEO of TXI. "By resolving this
dispute in this manner, their efforts have allowed all parties to benefit."
The permit requires that TXI will continue the use of its regenerative thermal
oxidizer (RTO) whenever TXI's Kiln #5 is in operation at the Midlothian cement
plant. The TXI Midlothian Cement Plant will therefore continue to be the only
cement plant in the country to voluntarily utilize this air pollution control
device to control the emissions of volatile organic compounds, a precursor to
ozone formation. Under the permit, TXI will also be allowed to increase
production on Kiln #5 from 2.2 million to 2.8 million tons of cement clinker per
year, and emission limits for the plant's Kiln #5 will be established that are
significantly reduced from the limits originally sought by TXI.
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[LOGO OF TXI]
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1341 West Mockingbird Lane . Dallas, Texas 75247 . 972.647.6700 . www.txi.com
D. Randall Jones
Vice President
Corporate Communications
and Government Affairs
972.647.6701
Add1
For example, the maximum allowable emission rate for total hydrocarbons will be
83.48 tons per year, 519.16 tons per year less than the permit sought by TXI and
proposed by the TCEQ technical staff. The total allowable emission rate of
carbon monoxide will be 2190 tons/year, representing a 5552.77 ton per year
decrease from the proposed permit. Emissions of total reduced sulfur will be
9.90 tons per year, a 55.8 ton per year reduction from the proposed permit.
In addition, TXI and the other participating parties have agreed to terminate
all current legal actions and continue to discuss the possible formation of a
Community Panel for Midlothian.
"While our original proposal to modify the use of the RTO was determined to have
no significant impact on human health or the environment by the TCEQ, we are
sensitive to public sentiment to continue the operation of this pollution
control device all year long," stated J. Lynn Davis, Vice-President, Cement. "We
have therefore decided to continue to use the RTO to control VOC, carbon
monoxide and total reduced sulfur emissions to a greater extent than currently
mandated by governmental regulations."
TXI, a Dallas-based company, is a leading supplier of building materials,
including cement, concrete and aggregate. With operations in six states, it is
the largest producer of cement in Texas and a major producer in California. TXI
is a major supplier of stone, sand, gravel and expanded shale and clay products,
and one of the largest producers of bagged cement and concrete products in the
Southwest.
TXI shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TXI".
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