Proposed Rule Limiting Mercury Emissions Fought In Wisconsin Court

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin's major utilities would have to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent within the next seven years under rules businesses are asking a court to block.

A hearing is scheduled on Monday in Dane County Circuit Court on the lawsuit that argues the state Department of Natural Resources never prepared a proper estimate of the rules' impact.

The Natural Resources Board considers whether to approve the rules on Wednesday.

The group that filed the lawsuit includes Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and others. They're asking the court to order the DNR to halt work on the rules until a statement on the scope of the rules is finished.

The DNR argues that it has followed proper procedure and that a statement on the economic impact of the rules was done.