Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC) Advisory Groups Meet
Date Fri, Mar. 6, 2020 - 11:41am By Hamilton
WisPAC Background In accordance with Executive Order 40, issued by Gov. Tony Evers in August 2019, Wisconsin state agencies have convened the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC). The executive order directs the council to develop an action plan due to the governor and legislature by July 1. WisPAC has convened two sub-advisory groups: Local Government group headed by […]
Court of Appeals Rules on Agency Rulemaking Case
Date Fri, Mar. 6, 2020 - 9:30am By Hamilton
In Applegate-Bader Farm, LLC v. DOR (2018AP1239), the Court of Appeals District IV held that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) complied with rulemaking procedures in Wis. Stat. Ch. 227 when it promulgated new rules regarding property tax classification. Background Wisconsin law provides certain incentives for property owners to participate in state and federal […]
PFAS Update: Status of PFAS Legislation, Agency Council Meets, EPA Action
Date Fri, Feb. 21, 2020 - 1:49pm By Hamilton
PFAS Legislation – New Provisions Passed Assembly, Final Status of Other Bills In what is likely the last Assembly floor session of 2019-20, the Assembly passed provisions to address PFAS contamination in Wisconsin. As an amendment tacked on to SB 559 (an unrelated bill), the Assembly passed on a party line vote language that: Directs […]
Solar Farm Projects Approved By PSCW
Date Thu, Feb. 20, 2020 - 3:58pm By Hamilton
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) approved Wisconsin’s fourth solar farm project on Jan. 30, 2020. Commissioners unanimously approved the 149-megawatt Badger State Solar Farm in Jefferson County, developed by Ranger Power. Badger State will supply electricity to Dairyland Power Cooperative, a Wisconsin-based wholesale energy provider for rural electric cooperatives and municipal electric utilities. […]
Additional DOR Auditors Generate 11.8 to 1 Return on Investment
Date Mon, Jan. 27, 2020 - 12:35pm By Hamilton
According to a Department of Revenue (DOR) report from the end of December, new tax auditors hired in the 2015-17 budget cycle generated an 11.8 to 1 return on investment for the state in fiscal year 2019. The 2015-17 state budget required DOR to annually report to the Joint Finance Committee on the estimated tax […]
PFAS Update: Regulations Moving in Legislature & DNR
Date Mon, Jan. 27, 2020 - 12:00pm By Hamilton
Regulation of PFAS chemicals continues to develop in the Wisconsin Legislature and state agencies. Last week the Legislature passed a bill regulating PFAS-containing firefighting foams. Meanwhile, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposed rulemaking has been approved by the DNR Board. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals found in many everyday products, including […]
PSCW Commissioner Resigns
Date Thu, Jan. 23, 2020 - 2:06pm By Hamilton
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) Commissioner Mike Huebsch recently announced week he will retire from PSCW effective Feb. 3. Huebsch was appointed to the PSCW by Gov. Scott Walker in 2015. His term would have expired in 2021. Before his appointment to the PSCW, Huebsch served as secretary of the Department of Administration and […]
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 […]