Environment
Gov. Evers establishes Office of Environmental Justice to protect marginalized groups from climate change
Gov. Tony Evers established an Office of Environmental Justice on Friday to help coordinate and track the state government’s efforts to ensure that the effects of climate change don’t disproportionately harm communities of color and low income people. The office, created on Earth Day, is meant to make sure the state’s environmental policies don’t leave […]
Do not abandon hope – climate solutions are possible
Here in Wisconsin, we’ve become used to hearing about massive flooding, wildfires, contaminated water from corporate polluters, and growing disparities for Black and brown communities. The constant news reports about climate disasters can fill one with a deep sense of anxiety. Lately, however, there have been important signs of progress. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on […]
Agricultural runoff an overlooked threat to public health
In Wisconsin, much of the discussions around water quality have been focused on contaminants including lead and PFAS. But George Kraft, UW-Stevens Point emeritus professor and emeritus director of the Center for Watershed Science and Education, says his biggest concerns looking to the future are nitrates and pesticides from agricultural runoff. “Instead of something that […]
First step in Marinette PFAS cleanup to begin later this year
A system aimed at cleaning so-called “forever chemicals” from groundwater polluted in the state’s largest known PFAS contamination case is expected to be ready to operate sometime this summer. Tyco Fire Products and Johnson Controls Inc. are building the system as part of their response to the contamination from firefighting foam developed, tested and discharged […]
Advocates pressure Biden administration EPA to tighten rules on coal power
Local officials and environmental advocates in Southeast Wisconsin are urging the federal Environmental Protection Agency to write tougher standards for emissions from coal-burning power plants. On Thursday, the EPA is holding a public hearing on updating the federal Cross State Air Pollution Rule. All or part of the regulation applies to 26 states, which are […]
Evers releases new plan to expand clean energy in Wisconsin
A new state plan issued Tuesday proposes expanding state incentives to use clean energy, funding more projects for generating energy from renewable sources, encouraging more energy efficiency, modernizing buildings and supporting greater use of electric vehicles and other forms of clean transportation. The State of Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan was developed by the Office of Sustainability […]
Supreme Court won’t revive company’s canceled permit to fill rare wetland
The Wisconsin Supreme Court won’t revive a sand fracking company’s permit to fill a rare wetland in Monroe County, ending five years of legal proceedings and handing a victory to the tribal nation and the environmental law firm that blocked the project. On Wednesday the court turned down an appeal by Meteor Timber, based in […]
Judge rules DNR lacks authority to regulate PFAS
The authority of Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to regulate PFAS (per and fluroalkyl substances) “forever chemicals” that have contaminated drinking water was blocked on Tuesday. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren ruled that the DNR cannot regulate PFAS and other emerging toxic compounds under Wisconsin’s Spills Law. If allowed to stand, the ruling […]
Avian influenza outbreaks detected around state
Concerns are growing around the recent spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) throughout the state. More commonly known as “bird flu,” the virus has been detected in Barron and Racine counties among captive poultry flocks. Due to the outbreaks all poultry shows, exhibits and swap meets have been suspended statewide through May 31. Similar […]
Milwaukee not a bad city for climate change, report finds
How might Milwaukee fare as the climate changes, and parts of the country experience more intense weather? A new analysis by Policygenius, an independent insurance broker and online marketplace, found that the city may actually fare pretty well. The Policygenius analysis, which assessed urban cities across the country, ranked Milwaukee at #6 on the list […]
Green light for state’s largest solar project in Dane County
State regulators gave the all clear Thursday to the largest Wisconsin solar array yet, to be built on 4,600 acres of land in Dane County. The proposed Koshkonong Solar Energy Center will generate 300 megawatts of power and include storage battery capacity for 165 megawatts. The project is being developed by Chicago-based Invenergy LLC and […]
DNR resumes management of Native American effigy mound
The Department of Natural Resources will resume management of Lizard Mound County Park in Washington County. For more than 70 years the property, home to one of Wisconsin’s many Native American effigy mounds, has been publicly managed. The DNR managed it from 1950 to 1980, when Washington County took over until late 2021. Effigy mounds […]