PFAS Update: JCRAR Suspends DNR’s Foam Rule; Tyco Settles Lawsuit with Peshtigo Residents

Since the last edition of Tidbits, there have been several updates on the PFAS front. On December 18, the Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) emergency rule on firefighting foam was partially suspended by the Legislature’s Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR). The emergency rule is a result of 2019 Wisconsin Act 101, […]

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PSCW Releases Draft Order on EVs Pilot Program Plan

In August, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) voted to require Wisconsin’s major electric utilities to submit an electric vehicle pilot program plan for PSCW review and approval by May 15, 2021.  Last week, PSCW opened a public comment period on the draft Commission order. Per the order, PSCW directed utilities to include in […]

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PFAS Update: Natural Resources Board Tables Emergency Firefighting Foam Rule and WisPAC Releases Draft Action Plan

Earlier this year, the legislature approved and the governor signed into law 2019 Wisconsin Act 101, legislation that regulates firefighting foam that contains PFAS. The Department of Natural Resources drafted Emergency Rule WA-06-20(E), as directed in Act 101, and it was put on the agenda for the Natural Resources Board (the board) to approve this […]

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PFAS Update: Drinking Water Rules Advisory Group, Agency Council Meet

Drinking Water Rules Advisory Meeting Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in early stages of promulgating rules that would regulate PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, surface water, and ground water. The state Department of Health Services (DHS) has recommended a combined groundwater standard of 20 ppt and a preventive action limit of 2 […]

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PFAS Update: AG Kaul Leads Coalition Supporting EPA Regulation, WI PFAS Action Council Meets

AG Kaul & EPA Action Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul recently led a 22-state coalition urging the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate PFAS chemicals. The comments from the multistate coalition Urge EPA to regulate specific PFAS chemicals PFOA and PFOS under the Safe Drinking Water Act, setting national drinking water standards. Request EPA […]

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Gov. Evers Appoints New DATCP Secretary

Gov. Tony Evers has appointed Randy Romanski as the new secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP). Romanski had been serving as interim secretary since late 2019, when the state Senate rejected the nomination of Brad Pfaff for the top DATCP position. Before serving as interim secretary, Gov. Evers had […]

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DNR Changes High Capacity Well Environmental Review Processes After Act 21 AG Opinion Withdrawn

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin considering cumulative environmental impacts when reviewing high capacity well permit applications. The DNR policy change comes after Attorney General Josh Kaul withdrew an opinion from his predecessor interpreting 2011 Wisconsin Act 21’s effects on DNR permitting. In 2016, former Attorney General Brad Schimel issued an opinion concluding that […]

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Wisconsin COVID-19 Response Post-Safer at Home

A few weeks after the Wisconsin Supreme Court invalidated the state’s “Safer at Home” emergency order, state and local leaders continue to grapple with the ongoing pandemic and economic recovery. The Department of Health Services (DHS) has declined to promulgate Safer at Home as a statewide rule and instead some local health departments have orders […]

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Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Unemployment Insurance Program

On May 27, the Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform held an informational hearing on Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance (UI)  program. The hearing was held as Wisconsin unemployment numbers are at record highs, and many Republican legislators are criticizing Gov. Tony Evers’s administration for reports of major backlogs in UI requests. As noted in the […]

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AG Kaul Withdraws Act 21 Opinion on High Capacity Wells

On May 1, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sent a letter to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stating he has withdrawn an opinion from his predecessor interpreting 2011 Act 21’s effects on DNR permitting. In 2016, former Attorney General Brad Schimel issued an opinion concluding that DNR lacks regulatory authority to require cumulative […]

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