ST. PAUL — U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan says Minnesota taconite producers need more time to meet certain air quality standards.

Nolan says he’s telling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the companies need up to five years to try out new technologies aimed at reducing pollution.

The federal regulations are aimed at reducing haze over northern Minnesota’s wild areas including Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The federal plan requires taconite plants to install cleaner-burning furnaces over roughly three years.

Nolan, a Democrat, says the companies just need a little more time so they can install the equipment without jeopardizing production.

Environmental groups are criticizing Nolan’s position.

The EPA already has changed some parts of its plan in response to industry concerns.