Wisconsin has the worst record in the nation when it comes to processing air pollution permits. At least 280 companies are operating without permits -- some for as long as eight years. No permit means no limit on pollution levels, which means more polluted air. The cause is lack of funding at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The outgoing governor eliminated fee increases, and the Legislature has not come up with the funds necessary to deal with the backlog. Companies are not anxious to fix the situation, according to the Sierra Club, because they might have to spend more on pollution control. Environmental groups have turned to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asking it to force the DNR to speed up the processing of permits, but it is unclear where the money to do this will come from. As more and more states face budget problems, it is likely that permitting and enforcement of pollution laws around the country will suffer.

Ran 1/6/03