The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an important case challenging the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new and modified major stationary sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Background In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497 (2007), that greenhouse gases (GHG), including […]
Legislature Plans Busy Fall Session
Date Wed, Sep. 18, 2013 - 8:32am By Hamilton
After spending summer away from the state house, legislators are back in Madison for the fall floor period. The Senate was back in session on September 17th, and the Assembly will be back in October. Both houses have ambitious plans for passing legislation now that the state budget is no longer dominating the legislature’s attention. […]
Hearing Gathers Public Input on Bulk Sampling at Proposed Mine
Date Thu, Aug. 22, 2013 - 9:40am By Hamilton
The Department of Natural Resources held a public informational hearing August 15, 2013 on the proposed bulk sampling activity and the pre-application notice to mine at Gogebic Taconite’s potential mining project near Mellen, Wisconsin. During the public informational hearing, individuals provided oral or written comments and learned about the proposed bulk sampling activity and the […]
Court Decides Important Mining Case
Date Thu, Aug. 22, 2013 - 7:40am By Hamilton
Right on the heels of the Great Lake Legal Foundation’s success in the Wisconsin’s Supreme Court’s Lake Koshkonong case comes another decisive win for the Foundation’s legal efforts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has agreed with the position advocated by the Foundation in its Wisconsin Resources Protection Council v. Flambeau Mining […]
Mining Hearing Scheduled for Aug. 15
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2013 - 9:37am By Hamilton
The DNR has scheduled a public informational hearing on Gogebic Taconite’s proposed bulk sampling activity and the preapplication notice to mine for August 15 from 10am-8pm at Hurley High School, 5503 W. Range View Drive. The hearing will be a public informational hearing, where individuals can provide oral or written comments as well as learn […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Limits DNR’s Regulatory Authority under the Public Trust Doctrine
Date Tue, Aug. 6, 2013 - 5:54pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently issued a decision limiting the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) regulatory authority under the public trust doctrine. The case is Rock-Koshkonong Lake District v. DNR, 2013 WI 74. The Supreme Court held that the DNR improperly relied upon the public trust doctrine for its authority to regulate non-navigable land or […]
Pres. Obama Unveils Climate Change Plan
Date Wed, Jul. 3, 2013 - 4:42pm By Hamilton
Pres. Obama has laid out a sweeping new climate change plan. The plan, which would cut carbon emissions in the United States and encourage other countries to do so as well, bypasses Congress, opting to achieve the president’s policy goals via executive action. Video of Pres. Obama’s remarks on his plan. Click here for the […]
Finance Committee Votes on Controversial Issues
Date Thu, May. 23, 2013 - 11:06am By Hamilton
As the finance committee wades deeper into the budget mire, the issues become more complex and controversial. On Tuesday, JFC voted, mostly on party lines, on proposals related to public employee benefits, environmental fees, and food share. Double Dipping JFC voted to slightly change the governor’s proposal to limit the ability of retired public employees […]
Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Acts on Mercury
Date Thu, May. 23, 2013 - 10:53am By Hamilton
At its May 21 meeting, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board voted to modify the state mercury rule to begin second phase emissions reductions on April 16, 2016, rather than the current January 1, 2015 compliance date. This change is necessary to ensure Wisconsin EGUs are not forced to comply with two sets of controls on […]
EPA Accepting Comments on Stormwater Proposal
Date Thu, May. 2, 2013 - 10:27am By Hamilton
The EPA has formally proposed revisions to its effluent guidelines for stormwater discharges from construction and development point sources. The proposed rule would make several revisions to the non-numeric requirements of the existing rule, as well as withdraw the numeric discharge standards. These changes reflect the terms of a settlement agreement between EPA and the […]