The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not regulate PFAS chemicals, according to a recent report from Politico. While EPA’s PFAS (specifically, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) plan has not yet been released, it is reported to leave PFAS off the federal water quality testing requirements for utilities under the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, the […]
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 […]
EPA To Revise Waters of the United States Rule
Date Tue, Dec. 18, 2018 - 12:03pm By Hamilton
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this month a proposed rule to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The revised rule is intended to increase predictability and stability in water pollution enforcement. The proposed rule would narrow the definition of primary WOTUS to include only […]
EPA Proposes Affordable Clean Energy Rule
Date Thu, Aug. 23, 2018 - 2:00pm By Hamilton
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, which replaces the 2015 Clean Power Plan. A rule promulgated during the previous administration, the Clean Power Plan imposed costly regulatory burdens on power plants in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA proposed repealing the Clean Power Plan […]
EPA Relaxes Ozone Regulations for Southeastern Wisconsin
Date Fri, May. 4, 2018 - 9:26am By Hamilton
In its final designations under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has narrowed the areas of Wisconsin designated as “nonattainment,” or not meeting the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standards. EPA’s original designations in late 2017 included large portions of eastern Wisconsin, despite Wisconsin’s recommendation that […]
EPA Designates Much of Southeastern Wisconsin as Nonattainment for 2015 Ozone Standards
Date Fri, Jan. 19, 2018 - 10:17am By Hamilton
In November 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated most of the country as either attainment/nonattainment under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. Nonattainment areas are those that do not meet (or contribute to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the national primary or secondary ambient […]
Stepp Promoted to Head of Midwest EPA
Date Fri, Jan. 5, 2018 - 8:48am By Hamilton
Former Wisconsin state senator and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp was promoted last month by the Trump administration to head the Midwest regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Chicago. As head of Region 5, Stepp will oversee Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio, including most of the Great Lakes. […]
Walker Appoints New DNR Secretary
Date Thu, Sep. 28, 2017 - 3:42pm By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday that former Republican state Rep. Dan Meyer is taking over as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Meyer represented the 34th District (Rhinelander) in the Assembly from 2001-2013. Prior to serving in the legislature, Meyer was mayor of Eagle River and executive director of Eagle River Chamber of […]
DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp Moves to EPA
Date Thu, Aug. 31, 2017 - 2:16pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Cathy Stepp is resigning from her position to move to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Stepp will serve as deputy administrator for EPA, covering the region including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine tribal nations. Stepp was appointed as DNR Secretary by Gov. Scott Walker in 2011. Previously, […]
DNR Announces Realignment
Date Thu, Dec. 1, 2016 - 8:13pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on Wednesday plans to reorganize its staff and resources to provide better oversight of the department. According to the press release, the realignment will not reduce environmental standards or the number of jobs at the DNR, but will change job descriptions, reporting structure and division assignments for […]