Alliance Remains Committed to Addressing the Ozone Nonattainment Issue

The Waukesha County Business Alliance remains committed to advocating for policies that support the business community and drive economic growth. A critical issue currently impacting Waukesha County and southeast Wisconsin is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ozone nonattainment designation, which is expected to have significant impacts on economic development and put our region at a competitive disadvantage.

Waukesha County businesses stand at a crossroads, as we face a designation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a “serious nonattainment” area for air quality. This classification, which suggests that Waukesha’s air quality has failed to meet federal standards, is a blow to the local economy and the businesses that sustain it. However, data shows that a large portion (do we have a percentage we should list?) of the air pollution in southeastern Wisconsin does not come from local sources, but from out-of-state emissions, particularly from Illinois and Indiana. This misclassification unfairly punishes businesses that are already operating under strict environmental standards.

The designation will create significant challenges for businesses seeking to expand, hire, and invest in our communities and has serious economic ramifications. The Clean Air Act mandates that counties that fall into this category must adopt stricter regulations on industrial emissions, transportation, and construction activities. These regulations often come with hefty costs, requiring businesses to invest in costly pollution control technologies, alter their operational methods, and adjust to increased permitting requirements.

The Alliance has joined a regional coalition to challenge this designation and advocate for common sense regulatory policies. Coalition partners include the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), The New North, Kenosha Area Business Alliance, Racine County Economic Development Corp., Sheboygan County Economic Development Corp., Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Association of REALTORS Wisconsin, and the NAIOP. Additionally, we are engaging with elected officials at both the state and federal levels, to advocate for policies that protect the environment without slowing economic growth.

The Alliance will continue to serve as a voice for the business community in Waukesha County and the region. With concerted effort and a focus on regional collaboration, we can ensure that businesses in Waukesha County are not unfairly burdened by a problem they did not create and cannot control.