PFAS Update: WI Agency Advisory Council Meets, EPA Action
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2019 - 2:38pm By Hamilton
In addition to last month’s comment period on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) initial scope statements seeking to regulate PFAS, Wisconsin and federal agencies are continuing to progress toward regulation of these substances. At the state level, Gov. Tony Evers has convened a multi-agency advisory council to address PFAS. At the federal level, […]
DNR Holds Public Hearing on PFAS Scope Statements
Date Wed, Nov. 13, 2019 - 2:37pm By Hamilton
On Nov. 12, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held a preliminary public hearing on three scope statements seeking to regulate PFAS chemicals in Wisconsin. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals that are found in many everyday products, including nonstick pans, cleaning products, paints, and firefighting foam. The most extensively studied PFAS compounds […]
PFAS Update: DNR Board Votes on Scope Statements, Agency Water Recommendations
Date Fri, Oct. 25, 2019 - 11:08am By Hamilton
Proposed regulations of PFAS compounds are continuing to move through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Meanwhile, other agencies have made recommendations to the governor on these PFAS chemicals and other clean water issues. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manufactured chemicals found in many everyday products, including nonstick pans, cleaning products, paints, and […]
PSCW Gives Final Approval to Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2019 - 8:51am By Hamilton
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) has given final approval for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. The line will electrically connect Dane County, Wisconsin to Dubuque County, Iowa. Additional approvals are needed from the Iowa Utilities Board and federal agencies. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the application and conditions, which received initial approval […]
Gov. Evers Requests AG Opinion on Act 21
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 4:27pm By Hamilton
Attorney General Josh Kaul is currently considering a request from Gov. Tony Evers for a formal opinion regarding the applicability of 2011 Act 21. Act 21 provided a broad scope of rulemaking reforms. The legislation clarified that agencies may not enforce requirements unless explicitly permitted by statute or properly promulgated rule and further refined what an […]
Gov. Evers Announces New WEDC CEO
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 10:19am By Hamilton
On Sept. 5, Gov. Tony Evers announced his appointment of Missy Hughes as secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Hughes replaces former WEDC CEO Mark Hogan, who left the agency at the beginning of the month. As part of the 2018 extraordinary session legislation, 2017 Act 369 gave the governor the […]
Status of Gov. Evers Appointments
Date Thu, Aug. 8, 2019 - 11:35am By Hamilton
UPDATED: 1/17/20 After Gov. Tony Evers’s inauguration in January, the governor began appointing cabinet secretaries and staff for his new administration. The appointments are still making their way through the Senate for confirmation. While none have been confirmed by the full Senate, most have been voted out of committees. Below is an update on the […]
PFAS Update: DNR & AG Kaul Actions, Industry Response to DHS Standards
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2019 - 10:36am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Water Quality Coalition recently submitted a letter and comments to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in response to recommended strict groundwater standards for two PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. If promulgated as an enforceable rule, the standards would be costly to Wisconsin industry and would open up the state for frivolous lawsuits. In addition to […]
DHS and DNR Release Strict PFAS Groundwater Standard
Date Wed, Jun. 26, 2019 - 5:25pm By Hamilton
The Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Department of Trade, Agriculture & Consumer Protection announced last week a recommended groundwater standard of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) combined for PFOA and PFOS. PFOA and PFOS are the most extensively produced and studied of a class of chemicals referred to as […]
PSC Approves Wisconsin’s First Large Scale Solar Projects
Date Thu, Apr. 18, 2019 - 3:54pm By Hamilton
On April 11, the Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Wisconsin’s first utility scale solar projects. According to PSC, the two projects together will more than quadruple Wisconsin’s solar capacity and produce enough energy to power 120,000 households annually. The Two Creeks solar generation facility will be located in Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties near Two Rivers […]