DNR asked to alter rules on mercury emissions

DNR asked to alter rules on mercury emissions

Thursday, August 21, 2003

Madison — The state Department of Natural Resources should modify new rules that would force Wisconsin utilities to drastically cut their mercury emissions, a legislative committee decided Wednesday.

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee voted 9-2 to send the rules back to the agency but didn’t specify any revisions. The rules would force major utilities to cut mercury emissions by 40% by 2010 and 80% by 2015.

Committee members argued the rules would impose too heavy a financial burden on utilities and their customers. The state should wait for federal regulations to be developed because mercury from other states pollutes Wisconsin, too, they said.

The committee gave the DNR until Friday to decide whether it would consider making changes to the rules.