The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and why it matters to Wisconsin

Elizabeth Wheeler

Due to recent concern over continued poor air quality, U.S. EPA has required 28 states, including Wisconsin, to revise their pollution control standards. In particular, there has been increasing concern over ground-level ozone, a pollutant that poses serious threats to the health of children and the elderly that are exposed to it. The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) imposes mandatory pollution caps on the pollutants that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. CAIR targets the biggest and worst air pollution sources in the state – coal fired power-plants.

Ten counties in Wisconsin do not meet U.S. EPA air quality standards for ground-level ozone. They are: Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha Counties.

Wisconsin has chosen to participate in an interstate cap and trade program for these pollutants. The U.S. EPA has set a “cap” on the amount of pollution for each state subject to CAIR. Each power plant will receive a certain number of “credits” they can either use to offset their own pollution or “trade” them to other power plants for cash.

The DNR is currently in the process of developing the rules for this program. These rules will have a real impact on air quality in Wisconsin. By structuring the cap and trade program to favor new, cleaner sources as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, Wisconsin could see a dramatic improvement in air quality. Additionally, by structuring Wisconsin’s program to be renewable energy friendly, there could be real incentives for expansion of the renewable energy industry in Wisconsin which would bring more jobs and clean, reliable energy resources to our state.

Clean Wisconsin attended the most recent rulemaking hearing in Milwaukee concerning the structure of the cap and trade program and commented to ensure that the program will in fact reduce pollution levels and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in the state. The draft rules will be proposed to the Natural Resources Board in January and should be finalized in spring 2007.

For more information on Clean Wisconsin’s comments, contact Elizabeth Wheeler at ewheeler@cleanwisconsin.org or (608) 251-7020. If you want to read the draft rules, go to: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/hot/8hrozonestd/cairbart/.