CLARKDALE, Ariz. — The Salt River Materials Group Phoenix Cement plant in Clarkdale, Arizona was recently honored with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® award for 2008, after first receiving the award for 2007.

To earn the 2007 award, the plant scored 97 of a possible 100 on the Energy Performance Indicator (EPI), used by the EPA to measure energy efficiency in cement plants. In order to qualify for an ENERGY STAR award a score of at least 75 is required. In addition, the plant must have a three-year history of complying with several other environmental regulations.

"Our score for 2008 was a perfect 100 on the EPI," said Lew Dodendorf, Energy Manager for the company. "We made additional improvements which allow us to reduce our energy usage while maintaining excellent production and quality."

"This score marks us as second to none when compared to other cement plants in the United States," said Roger Smith, president and CEO of Phoenix Cement Company. "We are very proud of this accomplishment."

About Phoenix Cement
The Phoenix Cement plant features energy efficient roller mills for coal, raw meal and finish grinding. The finish grinding mill was the first such mill to be installed in the U.S. An energy efficient clinker cooler captures and uses more waste heat in the system and raw feed sweetening and blending systems have recently been upgraded to improve overall process efficiency.

Phoenix Cement continues to pursue energy savings through training events conducted to improve employee awareness of energy efficiency at work and at home and by reviewing all projects under design for energy efficiency. In addition, Phoenix Cement has modified operating procedures to reduce energy consumption, installs only high-efficiency replacement motors and lighting, and has upgraded existing lighting and compressed air systems with energy efficient equipment. Along with significant energy savings, these improvements allow the plant to reduce emissions and water consumption.

About Salt River Materials Group
Salt River Materials Group (SRMG) is the commercial trade name for marketing activities of Phoenix Cement Company and Salt River Sand and Rock. SRMG, headquartered at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's Chaparral Business Park near Scottsdale, Arizona, is the only Native American-owned producer of portland cement in the U.S., and is also a major manufacturer and marketer of sand and gravel and recycled coal combustion products (fly ash) and pozzolans throughout Arizona and the Southwestern United States. www.srmaterials.com

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For additional information in the Clarkdale area contact:
Lew Dodendorf, Energy Manager
928-634-2261 ext. 8106
Email: ldodendorf@srmaterials.

Or:

Margie Beach, Communications Director
928-639-8060 Direct
Email: mbeach@srmaterials.com

Or in the Scottsdale area contact:
Verle Martz, VP, Engineering & Environment
480-850-5757 Office
480-850-5767 Direct
Email: vmartz@srmaterials.com

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