Kentucky ranks fourth-highest on the list of states with the most air pollution from coal and oil-fired power plants, an environmental group said Wednesday.

The three highest states were Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, according to an analysis of federal data by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

NRDC and Physicians for Social Responsibility released the report.

The groups called for tougher standards on mercury and other emissions from power plants, decrying efforts by some members of Congress to block new emissions rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency has estimated the new standards would save thousands of lives annually because of reduced emissions.

Kentucky gets nearly all its electricity from coal-fired plants.

The full NRDC report is at http://docs.nrdc.org/air/air_11072001.asp.