The EPA announced Wednesday, June 10, it is extending the public comment deadline to Sept. 4, 2009 on a proposal to slash mercury emissions and other pollutants from Portland cement kilns. The proposed standards would also set emission limits for total hydrocarbons and particulate matter from cement kilns of all sizes and would reduce hydrochloric acid emissions from kilns that are large hydrochloric acid emitters.

In addition, the agency has set dates and locations for three public hearings on the proposed rule. The hearings will be held on June 16, 17 and 18 in Los Angeles, at the DFW Airport in Texas, and in Arlington, Va.

In a staff notice Wednesday, the agency also announced a meeting of its Science Advisory Board Risk and Technology Review Assessment Methodologies Panel (to be held June 30 and July 28) to go over the EPA's draft methodologies for performing assessments of residual risk featuring case studies from the Petroleum Refineries and Portland Cement Manufacturing source categories.

Members of the public who want to speak at the June 16-18 meetings may preregister up to two business days prior to the start of the hearing they wish to attend. The public also may register in person on the day of the hearing; however, they may not be given a specific time to speak. To preregister to speak at the hearings, contact Pamela Garrett at garrett.pamela@epa.gov or (919) 541-7966.