Environment

Committee passes pipeline protest bill with only one Democrat voting no

BY: - October 30, 2019

The Senate version of a bill that would enhance criminal penalties for  trespassing on pipeline sites and other energy- or water-related infrastructure passed out of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday on a 4-1 paper-ballot vote. Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) cast the lone vote against SB 386, which has been promoted by […]

Chris Taylor and Ret. Col Greco at the Burlington air field

Rep. Taylor takes Madison team to Vermont to learn about F-35s

BY: - October 28, 2019

A group of community leaders led by Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) flew to Burlington, Vermont, last week to see firsthand how a community that has recently begun hosting F-35 fighter jets is responding to the jets’ arrival. Madison Ald. Rebecca Kemble and community activist Brandi Grayson also joined the tour. The Air Force has chosen […]

water faucet

New rule-making push on PFAS water contamination

BY: - October 24, 2019

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) on Wednesday moved to establish a rule making process for PFAS levels in water sources for Wisconsinites. The unanimous vote represents another step in addressing water contamination issues statewide. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals used in products like non-stick cooking supplies, fast food […]

Public urged to weigh in on water quality

BY: - October 24, 2019

Safe drinking water is receiving significant attention this year, from proposed rule changes by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to creating new incentives for companies to clean up and reduce pollution. But advocates pushing for safer drinking water are still looking for more. “It’s about time EPA takes the crisis seriously by putting forth much […]

Pipeline protest bill opponents hope for veto

BY: - October 23, 2019

As a controversial bill escalating penalties for trespassing on pipeline sites looks increasingly likely to pass the Wisconsin legislature, critics of the measure are shifting their focus to trying to persuade Gov. Tony Evers to veto it. On Tuesday, a state Senate hearing on the Senate version of the bill, SB 386, was essentially a […]

Animal rights activists at the city hall meeting on the Strauss Brands slaughterhouse. (Photo by: Isiah Holmes)

Milwaukee rejects slaughterhouse after citizens object

BY: - October 23, 2019

Plans for a proposed slaughterhouse in Milwaukee, owned by Franklin-based Strauss Brands, have been withdrawn by the company. Animal rights activists and community members who opposed the project declared a victory, saying the city has moved a step closer to bringing quality jobs to a blighted neighborhood. Balaji Venkatesan, a lead organizer with Direct Action […]

smokestacks

Senate power-plant effort fails, but Wisconsin moving forward on clean energy

BY: - October 21, 2019

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Thursday rejected Democrats’ attempt to overturn a controversial Trump administration power plant regulation.  Democrats forced a Senate floor vote on a resolution to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s power plant rule, which was seen as a weaker replacement for an Obama-era regulation to clamp down on power plants’ […]

A man protests against a pumpjack representing the oil industry.

Pipeline protest bill has evolved from state to state

BY: - October 18, 2019

Bills like the one pending in Wisconsin have passed several states in various forms.

A cow. Courtesy of Pixabay)

DNR investigating manure spill in Marathon County

BY: - October 17, 2019

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently responding to a manure spill in Marathon County. The DNR is working with the Marathon County Land and Water Conservation District to assess the full impact of the spill. First reported to the DNR on October 7, the spill near Huckleberry Road in northeast Colby has […]

Animal rights activists and community members pose for pictures in front of the common council chamber. (Photo by: Isiah Holmes)

Neighbors and activists call for transparency with proposed slaughterhouse

BY: - October 17, 2019

Activists and community members filled the Common Council chambers at Milwaukee’s City Hall Tuesday morning, voicing discontent at a proposed slaughterhouse in a predominantly African American district on the north side of Milwaukee in the Century City Business Park. Holding signs reading, “stop the slaughter,” organizers pressed the council to suspend a vote on the […]

Animal rights activists march in Milwaukee (Photo courtesy of Direct Action Everywhere)

Animal rights activists focus on Wisconsin

BY: - October 11, 2019

Animal rights activists are promoting the idea of an animal bill of rights with protests in 26 cities worldwide, which launched last weekend. Milwaukee was the only city in the Midwest targeted by  demonstrators, who assembled outside Gov. Tony Evers’ Cream City office on Saturday, October 4. The demonstration was part of a Global Lockdown […]

F_35 fighter jet

Little debate on Senate resolution supporting F-35

BY: - October 9, 2019

A resolution supporting a U.S. Air Force plan to bring F-35 fighter jets to Truax Field in Madison passed on a voice vote without any audible “nay” votes from the Senate floor on Tuesday. An amendment offered by Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) that would have added a request to […]