After two years of reviews and revisions Lafarge North America has filed a new application with the state Department of Environmental Conservation to burn 4.8 million tires annually at its Ravena cement plant.  
 
The next step is to collect public sentiment as part of the approval process. The proposal is open to public review until Sept. 2.  
 
The application for a permit is available in the Albany office of DEC, and in the libraries of Ravena and Castleton, which is downwind of the plant. A public information session on the application is scheduled at 7 p.m., Aug. 4, at the A.W. Becker Elementary School, 1146 Route 9W, Selkirk. 
 
“People need to let us know what they think of the application,” said William J. Clarke, Department of Environmental Conservation region-4 permit administrator.  
 
Comments can be submitted to Clarke, NYSDEC Region 4 Headquarters, 1150 N. Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306, or e- mailed to r4dep@gw.dec.state. ny.us. Earlier this year the company filed an application to burn 6 million tires but has since lowered its request. If passed, the 4.8 million tires would reduce the amount of coal and coke burned by 35,000 tons and serve as 20 percent of the energy used at the plant.  
 
Friends of Hudson, the 4,000-member group that mobilized against St Lawrence Cement plant’s proposal in Columbia County, are taking aim against Lafarge because of environmental concerns.