RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WXPR) – Wisconsin now meets the latest federal sulfur dioxide air quality standards.
Rhinelander was the last holdout that prevented the entire state from meeting that standard.
In 2013, air quality monitors picked up high levels of sulfur dioxide.
Craig Czarnecki is the DNR Air Program Public Information Specialist. “One of the facilities up there, the Ahlstrom Munksjo, the papermill, that facility was primarily responsible for those sulfur dioxide emissions in the area. So we worked with them and EPA to identify and implement some new emission control measures.”
The coal that was used in the paper mill and the coal-burning boilers were changed to reduce the sulfur dioxide levels.
Rhinelander started meeting the federal air quality standards in 2018.
Last week, the EPA finalized the designation. “This is a really great success story in both working with the EPA and Rhinelander and the papermill up there. Just a nice success story on all the collaboration into making those adjustments to make sure that air quality is meeting those federal standards up there.”
The DNR will continue to monitor air quality in the area as part of its state-wide monitoring effort.
