Democratic Lawmaker Criticizes Supreme Court Air Pollution Ruling

A Wisconsin lawmaker is disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of power plants in a major air pollution case Monday.

The high court said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can’t cap power plant emissions of mercury, arsenic and other toxic chemicals without considering the costs of the policy. The state’s largest business group, WIsconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, has called it a great ruling and said that the EPA needs to conduct an economic impact review.

But Wisconsin Democratic State Rep. Melissa Sargent said that it’s shortsighted for the Supreme Court and business community not to consider the health care costs of more pollution: “Preventative health care, the costs on our environment in the long run.”

The Wisconsin DNR said it’s reviewing the Supreme Court ruling and its potential impact on the state.