Congratulations On Clean Air Lawsuit - - And Why The Strange Use Of "Plot" By Journal Sentinel?

Like many people in southeastern Wisconsin, I was shocked when I first read how regulators had allowed We Energies to operate the Valley plant in downtown Milwaukee without the most modern air pollution controls.

I always thought our dirty air floated up from Chicago, but there's more to the story than that.

Now Clean Wisconsin and the Sierra Club are planning to take the state to court for dropping the regulatory ball, and I say, "Good for them."

And by the way, why does the headline say these groups "plot" to sue? That's a loaded word; "plan" or "intend" would be more fair.

The utility is given a monopoly by the state to operate in this region.

In return, the utility's investors get reliable return and users get reliable power.

But that deal shouldn't come at the expense of public health, with vital, objective review shelved and standards unenforced.

It should not take litigation by non-profit environmental organizations to make sure the law is enforced.

But congratulation s to the groups for taking on the burden.

We will all soon breathe a little easier.