With this week’s announcement of the new EPA rules for existing power plants and carbon emissions, some are calling June 2nd, 2014 the most important day of President Obama’s second term. What makes the new proposed rule on carbon pollution emission guidelines so note-worthy? Background Under direction of the President’s Climate Action Plan, the EPA […]
EPA Proposes Rule to Assess SO2 Air Quality
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:26pm By Hamilton
On May 13, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed options for states and local air agencies to use air quality monitoring or modeling to determine whether areas meet the 2010 air quality standards for sulfur dioxide (SO2). Below is a discussion of the proposed rule. Background of 2010 Revised SO2 NAAQS In June 2010, […]
EPA Poised to Set Carbon-Emissions Rules for Existing Power Plants
Date Wed, May. 21, 2014 - 4:23pm By Hamilton
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Gina McCarthy, announced that the EPA is set to issue the much anticipated rules on June 2nd for existing power plants under § 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The regulations could significantly limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and potentially force many existing coal-fired plants to cease burning the […]
Wisconsin Appeals Court Upholds Wind Siting Rules
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:23am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin 3rd District of Appeals upheld Wisconsin’s wind siting standards on March 22nd. This means that the PSC will not have to produce a report on how wind turbines affect property values while imposing the siting standards. The Wisconsin Realtors Association, Wisconsin Builders Association, and Wisconsin Towns Association along with a few individuals, brought […]
Legislative Update: Roundabouts, Tax Credits, and Leadership Shifts
Date Tue, Mar. 11, 2014 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Rewable Energy Act Introduced Despite its sweeping policies, the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Act was recently introduced with muted fanfare and debate that reflects its likely demise. Fair to say: too late, too much, and wrong party. Introduced by Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona), Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), and Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine), the legislation […]
Supreme Court Hears Case on Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 6:05pm By Hamilton
Supreme Court Hears Case Determining Scope of EPA’s Authority to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Clean Air Act On Monday, February 24, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the case Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency.This is the first case since the Court’s Massachusetts v. EPA opinion to address the EPA’s authority […]
DNR Continues Focus on Reform
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 2:00pm By Hamilton
Dept. of Natural Resources Sec. Cathy Stepp laid out her plans for 2014 in the latest edition of AgriView News. While the article focuses on DNR’s involvement with and oversight of the state’s agricultural community, the general push for transparency between the agency and the public and the emphasis on streamlining regulations is indicative of […]
Mining Update: DNR Completes Review of Gogebic Taconite’s Bulk Sampling Plan
Date Thu, Dec. 19, 2013 - 8:17am By Hamilton
The Department of Natural Resources recently announced that it has completed its review of Gogebic Taconite’s revised Bulk Sampling Plan related to the company’s potential mining project in northern Wisconsin, and has identified all DNR approvals that will be required before bulk sampling may begin. The letter sent to Gogebic Taconite following the DNR’s review […]
DNR Accepting Comments on Floodplain Guidance
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:08am By Hamilton
In an effort to improve transparency and provide more opportunities for the public to give input on key natural resources decisions, the DNR has begun accepting public comments on proposed guidance. Programs in the agency develop guidance documents that direct staff on how to approach making decisions when there are not specific details in a […]
Last Floor Sessions of 2013
Date Tue, Nov. 19, 2013 - 11:59pm By Hamilton
The Senate and Assembly have adjourned their last regular sessions for 2013. Both houses had busy agendas as they moved to get bills passed before the end of the calendar year. Elections and Politics The most contentious issues involved elections – from voting to recalls and redistricting. Party line votes and long debates were abundant. […]