Status of Gov. Evers Appointments
Date Thu, Aug. 8, 2019 - 11:35am By Hamilton
UPDATED: 8/13/19 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, all but one of fifteen cabinet secretaries have had public hearings, and eight […]
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 […]
Positive Medicaid Budget Projected by End of Current Biennium
Date Fri, Apr. 5, 2019 - 11:11am By Hamilton
On March 29, the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted an updated projection for the state’s Medicaid budget to the Joint Finance Committee. DHS estimates the Medicaid budget will end the current 2017-19 biennium with a surplus of $233.9 million GPR. The biennium ends on June 30, 2019. This is an increase of $21.1 million […]
DNR Proposes Changes to Air Permit Processes
Date Fri, Mar. 22, 2019 - 10:57am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently promulgating rules that would update DNR code related to air permitting processes (Wis. Admin. Code NR 406 and 407). The rulemaking includes provisions to create some additional permit exemptions, implement electronic reporting, clarify certain types of activity to which permits apply, and restrict administrative corrections to […]
PSCW Approves Notice of Investigation of Electric Vehicles
Date Fri, Feb. 22, 2019 - 8:59am By Hamilton
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) unanimously voted on Feb. 21 to open a generic docket (PSCW Docket # 5-EI-156) for the investigation of electric vehicle (EV) policy and regulation. The Notice of Investigation lists eight considerations that the Commission’s investigation will include, such as EV impacts on electric storage and transmission; policies and […]
EPA Announces PFAS Plan
Date Thu, Feb. 14, 2019 - 11:55am By Hamilton
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its comprehensive PFAS action plan. The plan lists several short-term and long-term agency solutions to address PFAS in drinking water without implementing burdensome regulations on utilities and businesses. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manufactured chemicals that are found in many everyday products, including nonstick pans, cleaning products, […]
PSC Begins Rulemaking on Renewable Resource Credits, Declines to Promulgate Large-Scale Solar Rules
Date Thu, Feb. 7, 2019 - 9:53am By Hamilton
Renewable Resource Credits The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has begun rulemaking related to renewable resource credits. The proposed rule would conform Wis. Admin. Code PSC 118 to incorporate changes from a bill enacted last session (2017 Wisconsin Act 53). Act 53 changed the definition of a renewable resource to include heat that is […]
DNR, Citing PFAS, Scales Back Voluntary Party Liability Exemption Program
Date Tue, Jan. 29, 2019 - 2:10pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an interim decision expanding voluntary parties’ future liability for PFAS and other hazardous materials. DNR’s Voluntary Party Liability Exemption Program (VPLE), in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 292.15, allows property owners to clean up properties and then receive exemptions from liability for historic contamination on the […]