Doyle Asks EPA to Declare Wisconsin Counties In Compliance

And herein Owen cheers for Governor Doyle.

Gov. Jim Doyle asked federal authorities Monday to declare six Wisconsin counties in compliance with new, stronger limits for air quality, even though Milwaukee County violates the standard.

Doyle told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that Wisconsin officials were certain the counties, including Milwaukee, would comply with stricter standards for fine particle pollution — or soot — by the time they go into effect in early 2014.

Doyle’s action was praised by Wisconsin’s largest business group because affected companies will avoid higher costs to comply with the law.