State Senate scales back air regulations

MADISON (AP) -- The state Senate has passed a pair of bills that would relax portions of Wisconsin's air pollution regulations.

One bill would prohibit the state Department of Natural Resources from requiring permits for fixed, indirect sources of pollution such as parking lots and highways that attract motor vehicles. The Senate passed the measure 30-3.

The other bill would prohibit the DNR from imposing standards that exceed federal regulations on hazardous air pollution from manure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has yet to implement any such regulations, but the DNR had planned to require farmers adopt best practices for controlling emissions ahead of the federal agency. The bill essentially would halt that effort.

The Senate passed the measure 24-9.

Both bills now go to the state Assembly.