Twelve states sue EPA over changes to Clean Air Act.

Byline: Rick Barrett

MILWAUKEE _ Twelve states sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday to try and block regulatory changes they say would weaken the Clean Air Act.

The changes, proposed by the Bush administration, would make it easier for utilities, refineries and factories to upgrade equipment without installing additional pollution controls.

The changes, under an EPA rule, are scheduled to take effect in about two months unless blocked by a court challenge. Attorneys general for Wisconsin and the 11 other states say the rule would weaken protections for the environment and public health.

"The new set of rules is lousy," said …