A Texas cement company alleges the city of Dallas and other municipalities violate state law by giving preference during bidding to companies that use "environmentally-friendly" made cement.

Midlothian-based Ash Grove Cement Co. contends such practices violate state public contracting laws. It filed a federal lawsuit today in Dallas.

According to the lawsuit, Dallas was the first entity in the area to require contractors bidding for jobs to use cement produced by a dry process kiln. Other cities named in the lawsuit, including Arlington, Fort Worth and Plano, adopted similar resolutions.

Arlington City Attorney Jay Doegey declined to talk about the lawsuit, but said the city adopted the bidding measure "for environmental reasons."

Other government entities named in the lawsuit are Tarrant County and the Dallas school district. Representatives from the cities of Dallas, Plano and Fort Worth did not immediately return messages Wednesday left by The Associated Press.