Kentucky environmental attorney Sanders says U.S. EPA proproses new air emission rules for cement kilns.

EPA is proposing to significantly reduce mercury emissions from Portland cement kilns, the fourth-largest source of mercury air emissions in the U.S. The proposal would set the nation's first limits on mercury emissions from existing Portland cement kilns and would strengthen the limits for new kilns.

The proposed standards also would set emission limits for total hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide from cement kilns of all sizes, and would reduce hydrochloric acid emissions from kilns that are large emitters.

The majority of the toxic emissions at cement kilns come from the burning of fuels and heating of raw materials. When fully implemented in 2013, EPA estimates that this rule would reduce annual emissions by at least:

. Mercury - 11,600 pounds, a reduction of 81 percent

. Total hydrocarbons - 11,700 tons, or 75 percent

. Particulate matter - 10,500 tons, or 96 percent

. Hydrochloric acid - 2,800 tons, or 94 percent

. Sulfur dioxide - 160,000 tons, or 90 percent

EPA will take public comments on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposal if one is requested. Hearing requests must be received within 15 days of publication in the Federal Register. For more information on the proposed standards, go to: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3pfpr.html