Gov. Doyle: Announces Door, Manitowoc counties have met federal ozone standards

Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Al Shea, Department of Natural Resources, 608-219-6427

Counties Expected to Receive EPA’s Attainment Designation in About 30 Days

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today applauded a federal decision to declare Door and Manitowoc counties in compliance with clean air outdoor standards for smog following four years of monitoring by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA announced plans today to approve Governor Doyle’s request to redesignate the two counties as reaching attainment for national health-based eight-hour outdoor standards for ozone – also known as smog. The public has 30 days to comment on the EPA proposal published in the Federal Register on April 27.

“Under my Administration, we have taken strong action to reduce air pollution in Wisconsin and protect public health and the environment,” Governor Doyle said. “Meeting these standards not only means cleaner air, but also ensures that local businesses will be able to grow and create jobs.”

Last fall, Governor Doyle requested the EPA redesignate nine Wisconsin counties as in attainment of the ozone standard. The EPA also is expected to act on the other seven counties that have met federal smog standards. Those counties are: Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine and Waukesha counties. Kewaunee County previously was designated as in compliance.

The EPA made its proposal based upon complete, quality-assured, outdoor air monitoring for 2006 to 2009 showing the two counties in compliance with the federal standards for ozone. The EPA also proposes to approve Wisconsin’s plans to meet the ozone standard through 2020 and to approve motor vehicle emission budgets for Manitowoc and Door counties.

Since taking office, Governor Doyle has helped Wisconsin make major strides to reduce air pollution, implementing the Clean Air Interstate Rule, NOx Reasonable Available Retrofit Rule, and Best Available Retrofit Technology Rule. The Mercury Multi-Pollutant Rule that went into effect last year will substantially reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution throughout the state. In addition, the Governor announced last year that a new biomass boiler will be installed at the Charter Street Heating Plant as part of his commitment to stop burning coal at state-owned heating plants on Madison’s Isthmus. Ground will be broken on the project this year and should be complete by summer 2013.