Nearly five years after the federal government set new standards designed to protect public health from short, sharp spikes in air pollution levels, Wisconsin hasn’t made the rules mandatory for all polluters.
AIR POLLUTION LAWSUIT | GROUPS WANT federal limits implementedDNR TO ENACT EMISSIONS LIMITS
Lawsuit hits Wisconsin DNR for dragging feet on 2010 air quality rules
The DNR hasn't yet written state rules to comply with 2010 changes in federal air pollution rules.
Walker said states could enforce pollution laws without EPA oversight. But Wisconsin's DNR has repeatedly failed to meet EPA standards.
The state plans to fix its rules on fine particles from smokestacks, but critics say DNR priorities neglect public health.
The Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment allegedly violated its air pollution permit 32 times.
The state lists nearly 90 violations involving excessive emissions of acid-rain causing sulfur compounds and toxic formaldehyde.
