Exhibit CC 01-24-2017 Item No. 18 Lehigh Cement Plant Noise oral communicationTo: City of Cupertino Board and Staff
From : Cathy Helgerson -CAP -Citizens Against Pollution
Regarding: Lehigh Noise Monitoring Report and Staff Report
I am very disappointed with the Lehigh Noise Monitoring Report and Staff Report which should have
done much more than it did in the staff report it states at the end that no additional noise monitoring by
the City is scheduled and I have to ask why not? The noise levels may have been under dBA Ranges but
the noise is still a nuisance and is regarded as noise pollution at any level day or night. I listened to the
audio sounds on the report and you can hear the machinery clearly even with the cricket noise living
next door to this constant noise at any level is completely annoying and this needs to be stopped.
The noise coming from Lehigh's Cement Plant Stack needs to be eliminated completely in order to bring
peace to the residence living next door or nearby. Lehigh needs to clearly identify this noise and work to
correct the problem. It seems from what I hear from City Staff that the stack is the problem it was not
long ago that it was installed, and contacting the manufacturer would help to see if they can repair it or
replace it, there should be no noise coming from the stack. I have also read that a Stack Silencer can
also be the answer to solving the noise pollution problem I ask that the City look into this.
I would like to ask that there be an abatement requirement set notifying Lehigh to correct the noise
problem from the stack or any other piece of equipment that maybe causing the noise pollutions. There
needs to be noise mitigation to set up strategies to stop this noise pollution. This could include a noise
abatement wall, mass barrier or the installation of a Stack Silencer. I have attached an article SAYING NO
TO NOISE about La Farge Canada's Exshaw, Alberta, Plant -Installs a Stack Silencer That Has Reduced
Sound Levels and Created Community Good Will. By Mark S Kuhar
I wonder if Lehigh could contact the manufacturer and see if they could purchase and install a Stack
Silencer or if there is something else they can do.
I ask the City of Cupertino and Santa Clara County to address this matter further to find a solution
because the public needs to know we can count on our City and County to save them from any further
pain and suffering.
Thank you,
"1 /L.ilLU"I I
Saying No to Noise
0 Published: Tuesday, 08 April 2014 18:33
, Written by Mark S. Kuhar
Lafarge Canada's Exshaw, Alberta, Plant
~ay1ng N o to N01 se
Installs a Stack Silencer That Has Reduced Sound Levels and Created Community Good Will.
By Mark S. Kuhar
In January 2012, Lafarge North America finally said "no" to noise. At that time, they
saw the completion of an intensive engineering project at its cement plant in
Exshaw, Alberta, Canada, by Noise Solutions that resulted in a monumental
reduction in sound levels.
Extensive research for the project began in 2009. This included exploring a
combination of active noise control scenarios, as well as conducting monitoring
surveys at four nearby residential located 240 to 500 meters from the plant.
The surveys revealed that the Exshaw facility was not in compliance with the
Energy Resources Conservation Board's (now the Alberta Energy Regulator)
permissible nighttime sound levels of 48 dBA.
Making a Racket
One of the largest noise sources at the Lafarge Cement Plant was the K5 Gravel
The installation included 13 silencer modules.
ti'
Bed Filter Stack, which is essentially a giant chimney. After more than a year of collecting data, modeling, engineering and manufacturing, Noise
Solutions installed a massive 14,500-lb., 25-ft. tall stack silencer, designed to absorb noise-causing vibrations from one of the stacks.
Another significant noise source that needed to be addressed at the Lafarge site was the compressor room and vacuum system. Noise
Solutions' acoustically treated building ventilation inlet hoods were installed to attenuate the problem areas.
The installation, which also included 13 silencer modules on three large roof vents, was highlighted as a priority to Lafarge as a result of forum
discussions with both plant employees and residents in the Exshaw community. These ongoing discussions eventually launched the Community
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Liaison Committee, which included eight members of the public and three of the plant's senior management staff, to ensure better communication
and enhance public perception of the plant's operations within the community.
Getting an Award
Shortly after the install of the Kiln 5 Stack Silencer and treatment to the hood vents, the town of Exshaw received
Lafarge's President's Award in recognition for their outstanding leadership in Health and Safety.
Various seasonal conditions can affect the sound propagation efficiency between a facility and residents. Noise
Control Regulation Directive 038, regulated by the former Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, allows for only 50
dBA during daytime hours and 40 dBA during nighttime hours.
Although a post-noise control site assessment has shown the treated noise sources have hit their noise
reduction targets, work with Noise Solutions and Lafarge is ongoing at the Exshaw Plant, with more equipment to
be built and installed, as well as a final noise impact assessment which will determine the final cumulative reduction overall for the site.
Information for this article courtesy of Noise Solutions.
What is a Noise Impact Assessment?
Established in 1997, Noise Solutions Inc. is a leading North American provider of engineered turnkey
industrial noise control for energy, mining, power generation and aerospace. Its range of customizable equipment spans acoustic buildings, walls,
enclosures and ventilation to a wide range of engine exhaust and cooler fan silencers.
Noise Solutions' turnkey approach ensures customers deal with just one vendor for the entire project to ensure the most thorough service with
unparalleled results -from the initial Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) right through to installation.
An NIA is an analytical examination of noise that emits from a facility, its significance relative to local regulatory limits, and what needs to be done
to ensure the facility is in compliance.
An effective NIA will include the following steps:
1. Specialized technicians take specific and detailed measurements of various noise sources at a facility.
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2. The sound power data received is derived from the existing onsite equipment manufacturer's data, sound pressure measurements, or
theoretical calculations.
3. A report is produced that provides accurate noise levels that may be out of compliance and impacting a specific radius from the facility and
nearby residents.
4. A detailed Source Order Ranking Table is provided identifying and prioritizing the loudest noise sources that require attenuation .
5. A Permissible Sound Level is established based on distance, dwelling unit density and proximity to transportation corridors along with
engineered noise control recommendations.
Lafarge Exshaw Cement Plant History
In 1906, the Western Canadian Cement & Coal Co. opened what would become the most innovative and modern cement plant in the world.
Nestled at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, the Exshaw plant site was chosen for the abundant quantity and quality of limestone, the availability
of nearby power sources and its proximity to the CPR's rail line.
The first people arrived in Exshaw in 1906; hired to build what would become the largest and mos t advanced industrial plant in the country. Three
hundred young men, some with their wives and children, came from all over the world to find work in the rapidly expanding Canadian West. After
construction was complete many of the worke rs moved on while others stayed, attracted by the potential of permanent work at the plant and a
place to call home.
Rock blasting took place in the mountain above the plant and rocks were hand-loaded into small rail cars that travelled downhill to the crusher,
the grinders and then into the kilns. Using six 80-ft. kilns the plant was able to produce 1,500-1,800 barrels of Portland cement per day.
In the early years, the half-a-million barrel s of cement produced every year had a positive benefit to the local economy but also provided much of
the necessary material needed to expand the roads, railways and industrial buildings used to d evelop Western Canada.
The plant was described as a technological wonder of its time, yet in 1908, slow markets, railway strikes and a flawed sales strategy caused the
plant to close down. Although workers continued to quarry rock from the mountains above Exshaw it wa s not until new management and the
1909 amalgamation of 10 Canadian ceme nt companies -to form the Canada Cement Co. -that the Exs haw plant began to operate again.
Many modernizations took place to keep the plant at the leading edge of technology and productivity:
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• The completion of the Seebe dam in 1911 provided inexpensive power to the plant and replaced the coal fired stream generator built in 1906.
• In 1912, the six old kilns were replaced with three more efficient 150-ft. coal-fired kilns.
• Post-war modernizations in the mid-1920s led to a temporary switch from blasting to hydraulic mining.
• The 1940s saw the switch from a dry manufacturing process to the wet process.
• In the early 1950s the plant introduced a new mountain top quarry and began using electric shovels, 30-ton trucks and a mobile rotary drill.
• Exshaw was the first company plant to convert from coal to natural gas fired kilns in 1951.
• In 1970 Canada Cement merged with Lafarge Canada to form Canada Cement Lafarge Ltd. This new company would become the largest
supplier of cement in Canada and would be a major contributor to the development of Canada's two fastest growing cities, Calgary and
Edmonton.
• In the early 1970s a $30 million expansion and upgrade increased the plant capacity to 500,000 tons. Much of the old plant was demolished
and the expansion required the demolition of much of Uptown Exshaw including the elementary school, protestant church and 47 homes.
• In 1988 Canada Cement Lafarge Ltd. became Lafarge Canada Inc.
Source: Lafarge Canada, www.lafarge -na .com
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Cupertino/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills -Is
Noise Pollution Keeping You Awake at Night?
Bay Area for Clean Environment
' ·, "•.-_ ... ·--~~· .
Is noise pollution keeping you awake at night or interrupting your day?
Noise from the Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant next to Rancho San
Antonio County Park has been increasing over the past decade.
After years of noise complaints Lehigh funded a noise study in
cooperation with Santa Clara County. Its conclusion suggested that
residents were complaining about noise made by crickets, and the
County is standing by that study! In response, the City of Cupertino is
funding its own noise study, Hopefully, the County will listen.
Noise Ordinance [811 -154] states -Prohibited acts: Noise
disturbances prohibited. No person may willfully or negligently make,
continue or cause to be made or continue any sound which:
endangers or injures the safety or health of human beings or animals;
or annoys or disturbs a person of normal sensitivities; or endangers or
injures personal or real properties .
If noise from Lehigh keeps you awake at night , interrupts your sleep,
forces you to close windows and doors, or annoys you, please sign
this petition. You will support the City of Cupertino's study and send a
message to Santa Clara County that this is a real problem for many
residents seeking relief from excessive noise generated by the Lehigh
Southwest's cement plant and quarry. Our elected officials must
ensure that noise regulations are enforced.
Thank you
BAC E Board
www.BayAreaCleanEnvironment.org
BACE is a non -profit organization. All of the Bay Area for Clean
Environment board members and other supporters are unpaid
volunteers who have generously contributed countless hours of their
time and donated money for this good cause.
This petition will be delivered to:
• Santa Clara County
• City of Cupertino
Read the letter
•
Noise pollution
Bay Area for Clean Environmentstarted this petition with a single
signature, and now has 141 supporters. Start a petition today to
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Updates
1 . 6 months ago
100 supporters
2. 6 months ago
Bay Area for Clean Environment started this petition
Reasons for Signing
This sound is so annoying that I have to put on the radio at night to fall
asleep.
Mona Helmhold, Cupertino, CA
6 months ago
4
Share
The noise is super annoying on the weekends. Sounds like a jet
engine. Bad enough with the rock truck noise and dust pollution.
Lehigh just doesn't give a shit, and the fines aren't big enough. How
about a million dollar fine, paid to schools in San Jose???
Shamra Martin, Cupertino, CA
6 months ago
4
Share
I'm signing because I can hear that noise even with my windows
closes at night. It's very annoying for those of us that have acute
hearing. It's been going on too long and we're not even near Lehigh.
kayla Abelar, Saratoga, CA
6 months ago
4
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