By Future Brown / Herald Democrat
A bill passed by the Texas Senate Tuesday has halted the construction of a cement kiln in Grayson County for six years.
The bill authored by Sen. Brian Birdwell and Sen. Brent Hagenbuch took aim at Black Mountain LLC who wanted to build a 600- acre limestone mining and cement plant near First Baptist Church Dorchester on FM 902.
“I have been paying very close attention to the cement kiln issue in Grayson County,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “In 2024, I traveled to Dorchester to survey the area and hold a townhall to hear community feedback about the proposed kiln. Following the town hall, I wrote a letter to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) then chairman, Jon Niermann, asking to pause the permitting process for all cement production plants statewide until the legislature could weigh in on this issue before the Grayson County community was permanently impacted.
“Today, I am proud that SB 1758 passed the full Texas Senate with bipartisan support. The Senate understands this issue and knows a cement kiln in Grayson County is untenable. I want to thank Sen. Brent Hagenbuch for his focus and work on this important issue as co-author of the bill.”
The Black Mountain cement kiln has been heavily opposed by local entities with Grayson County, the city of Sherman, Sherman Economic Development Corporation, the city of Dorchester and other local entities speaking out about the proposed cement kiln.
A resolution approved by Grayson County commissioners in March of 2024 said the kiln gave commissioners “grave concerns” that the plant will have an “adverse impact” on the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Grayson County. Commissioners were also concerned that Black Mountain didn’t accurately answer questions on its application about any environmental damage the plant might cause.
County officials were worried “about potential air pollution, noise pollution, blasts, seismic waves and light pollution from the proposed Cement Plant and the nuisance conditions that could result from the operation of the proposed Cement Plant.”
The resolution also said there was a “potential adverse impact relating to the watershed, water quality, floodplain, air quality, vehicle traffic, damage to roadways, wildlife, wildlife habitats, and the use and enjoyment of private property and natural lands and waters by our residents and visitors of Grayson County.”
The adverse impact from the plant’s projected seismic activity may have on the growth of tech industry in the county, the resolution said.
Earlier this month, Grayson County Judge Bruce Dawsey released a statement about this week’s Senate vote.
“This is one more small victory on our way to abolishing this issue,” he said.
“Thank you Senator Birdwell, Senator Hagenbuch, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Natural Resources Committee, Dorchester Mayor David Smith, and other local Grayson County leaders from all over the county for leading the fight to protect our county’s future. Our fight is not over. Please continue to offer support as it goes through the Texas Senate and the House of Representatives. Your continued phone calls, emails, and personal visits have been recognized, and we must continue to support the silicon industry within Grayson County.”
Attempts to speak to someone from Black Mountain LLC have been unsuccessful.
“Grayson County is becoming one of the leading places in the world for semiconductor manufacturing, and with that growth comes thousands of good jobs and a powerful economic ripple effect that will lift businesses and families across the region,” Hagenbuch said in a statement Tuesday.
“SB 1758 protects our critical semiconductor industrial base by ensuring careful study of seismic and vibrational effects before new heavy industrial operations are permitted nearby—while still respecting the rights of existing cement kilns and aggregate producers.”
“While Grayson County experiences unprecedented growth, strategic planning becomes essential. SB 1758 provides a framework for thoughtful development that considers the needs of both our high-tech and traditional industries. The passage of this legislation is a win for national defense, America, Texas, and Grayson County.”
