New EPA Standards, No New Jobs Here

Here's the EnvirohooeyBS of the quarter:

Milwaukee County failed to meet an important standard for fine particle pollution, or soot, over three years ending in 2008. But Chicago and northern Indiana met the legal health standard.

And of course, EPA will extract its retribution by blocking new jobs in the area:

Counties that fail must develop plans to come into compliance by 2014. New companies and those expanding in areas that exceed the standard are subject to stricter environmental standards.

Because some bureaucrat felt like it, Waukesha and Racine Counties are part of the zero-job zone, too!

Why do I call this "EnvirohooeyBS"?

In 2006, the EPA tightened the standards for particle pollution from 65 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Any measures above 35 failed to meet the standard.

In other words, since you got it down to 65 mg/m^3, we'll squeeze even tighter!

And if you think that's reasonable, consider THIS:

From 2006 to 2008, Milwaukee County measured 37, Cook County 35 and Lake County, Ind., 33.

So Chicago metro and Northern Indiana were "cleaner" than SE Wisconsin?

Just get out now. Close the doors, turn out the lights.