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Report Puts Kentucky at Top of Air Pollution List, with Indiana and Tennessee Not Far Behind

A new report says Kentucky is the worst state in the nation when it comes to toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants. The analysis was released Thursday by the Natural Resources Defense Council and looked at emissions from power plants in 2010, the most recent data available.

The report ranked Indiana fourth worst, with Tennessee listed as the nation’s 11th worst.  

Nationally, the report found a 19 percent drop in all air toxics emitted from power plants in 2010, compared with 2009 levels.

The report said one reason for the drop, which included a 4 percent decrease in mercury emissions, is due to an increased use of natural gas by power companies.