A project to refit the Lafarge cement plant in Ravena, Albany County, with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology will improve fuel efficiency, enhance environmental protection and cut operating costs, the Times Union reports.

The Albany County plant produces 1.8 million tons of cement annually, and new equipment would reduce fuel use by half. The plant, located between Route 9W and the Hudson River, was the largest source of mercury emissions in New York from 2004 to 2006 and used technology that dates from the 1940s.

Lafarge United States East Cement Business Unit, which includes the Ravena plant, has submitted an environmental assessment form to state regulators and said the actual construction work would begin in 2013, taking three years to complete.

Keri Powell of the environmental group Earthjustice, raised concerns about the emissions from the plant "between now and when they get the new kiln complete." She said she'd like to see the company end its use of fly ash in the manufacturing process, which she said is believed to be a source of the mercury being emitted.