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Tax credits for home solar projects have been around for a while and local leaders in Wisconsin noted new federal policies have been more aggressive in helping governments, businesses and homeowners offset costs of installing panels. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

A snapshot of federal investments being put to use in WI

City and county governments are feeling the pinch of rising operating costs but in Wisconsin, federal incentives are driving a range of local …

PFAS are chemicals used since the 1940s. They are found in everyday products such as nonstick cookware. Public officials are sounding the alarm about health risks associated with the chemicals, including their presence in drinking water. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WI, other states prepare for new PFAS drinking water rule

Efforts to limit human exposure to so-called forever chemicals continue to unfold in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, advocates are hopeful residents will be …

For renewable energy, Wisconsin has traditionally lagged behind other Midwestern states in such areas as solar development but federal policies are now giving the Badger State a boost to carry out more projects. (Adobe Stock)

WI utilities make union jobs a priority for green projects

With the help of federal aid, Wisconsin is catching up to neighboring states in accelerating clean energy construction projects and the Badger State …

Enbridge Energy's longstanding Line 5 oil pipeline has resulted in heavy opposition, including legal challenges, from environmental and tribal organizations in states such as Wisconsin and Michigan. (Photo courtesy Earthjustice)

Tribal interests remain at heart of opposition to Great Lakes oil pipeline

Later this month, Indigenous leaders will speak before a United Nations panel about their ongoing concerns with a controversial oil pipeline in the …

In addition to not having as many EV charging stations as some neighboring states, analysts said Wisconsin lacks fast-charging stations for the public to access. (Adobe Stock)

WI poised to hit fast track in adding EV charging stations

Wisconsin has lagged behind neighboring states in adding electric vehicle charging stations, but the Badger State is about to take a big leap forward …

According to the World Resources Institute, more than 1,200 electric school buses are operating in the United States, with several thousand more either on order or being delivered. (Adobe Stock)

Electric bus movement looks to accelerate

Most school and transit buses on the nation's roadways these days are still powered by diesel engines but in Wisconsin and elsewhere, there is hope …

The American Biogas Council says across the U.S., more than 2,300 digester sites are producing biogas. (Adobe Stock)

Digesters: Helpful in reducing farm emissions?

Wisconsin is part of a movement to reduce livestock emissions by converting manure into energy sources, and there are calls to weave in a careful …

Climate experts say transforming schoolyard areas to include more vegetation can help mitigate the heat-island effect often felt in urban areas. (Adobe Stock)

Milwaukee program helps schools ditch playground asphalt for natural settings

Urban heat islands, made worse by climate change, can push up temperatures and bring on more air pollution in larger cities. Now, a Milwaukee project …

The U.S. Department of Energy is revoking $37 million previously awarded to Ohio's six-turbine Icebreaker wind project, which has been in the works since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Can offshore Great Lakes projects get a second wind?

Offshore wind development in the Great Lakes region has had a turbulent history. Once considered a promising location for such projects, Wisconsin …

Officials with the Aging and Climate Change Clearinghouse contended the baby boomer generation has developed consumption patterns exacerbating climate change. Officials said changing patterns, such as making their homes energy-efficient, can help reduce the climate threats they face. (Adobe Stock)

Research project aims to make climate adaptation age-inclusive

From prolonged droughts to intense rain and snowstorms, the Midwest is not immune to climate change threats. An emerging resource aims to place more …

A group of U.S. researchers says particulate matter from coal plants was often put on the same par with other sources of air pollution. However, their review of premature deaths shows coal emissions pose a deadlier health risk. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Air pollution linked to coal plants more deadly than previously thought

Researchers are out with new findings they say show that death rates linked to air pollution from coal plants are underestimated. A Wisconsin …

The Inflation Reduction Act, along with other federal legislation, is putting hundreds of billions of dollars toward programs to spur clean-energy usage, but many energy companies aren't using the money. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Mixed grades for WI utilities in shifting away from fossil fuels

Some Wisconsin utilities are slow to reduce fossil-fuel dependence, according to new data from the Sierra Club, while others are improving their …

The nonprofit newsgathering organization Climate Central recently analyzed fall warming trends in 244 U.S. cities. Around 89% have seen October nights warm up since 1970. (Adobe Stock)

Long-term warming brings unwelcome treats for Midwest Halloweens

As Halloween approaches, cooler temperatures will spread over Wisconsin, but weather experts said climate change is making October nights in the …

About 345,000 hogs and pigs live on Wisconsin farms, according to the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service - Hogs and Pigs report. (Adobe Stock)

WI small-farm advocates push back on CAFOs

Family-farm advocates in rural Wisconsin are pushing back on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, as the livestock industry becomes more …

The Biden administration expects seven new hydrogen hubs to produce 3 million metric tons per year, nearly a third of its 2030 goal. (AA+W/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups advise caution on 'hydrogen hub' initiative

Wisconsin is going to be a part of two new "hydrogen hubs" backers say will generate clean fuel but some environmental groups say it is a mixed bag…

This summer's stretches of smoky air, brought on by Canadian wildfires, have prompted more concern in the Midwest about the arrival of climate-change threats and how cities can respond. (Adobe Stock)

WI Mayor Offers Glimpse into Cities Phasing in Clean-Energy Projects

New polling suggests most Americans support nationwide efforts to boost renewable energy capacity under the threat of climate change, and a local …

As more traditional automakers bring electric vehicles to the market, industry analysts say it's going to be a learning curve for dealerships with little EV sales experience to become effective in marketing them to customers. (Adobe Stock)

Electric Vehicle Sales: Fact vs. Fiction in WI

The auto industry has been dealing with challenges lately, such as higher interest rates, but analysts said there are nuances, and they stressed …

Environmental experts said people living in places like the Midwest were caught off-guard this summer by smoky air from Canadian wildfires, because past policy efforts have improved overall air quality in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

Smoky Summer: Tips for WI Residents, Now and in Future

Air quality alerts have resurfaced in Wisconsin, with some areas experiencing the smoky air from Canadian wildfires. Health and environmental …

One of the apple blossoms found at The Cider Farm in southwestern Wisconsin, which strives for biodiversity in protecting species. (Photo courtesy of The Cider Farm)

Embracing Biodiversity: WI Farm Helps Pollinators Survive Climate Change

By Lela Nargi for the Food and Environment Reporting Network.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions …

Researchers found cities with the highest ParkScore rankings are healthier places to live based on the metrics of physical inactivity and mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin Does Well in Park Rankings

Two of Wisconsin's largest cities land in the top twenty in a new ranking for parks. The nonprofit Trust for Public Land has issued its annual …

One of the tax credits offered under the Inflation Reduction Act is a home energy audit, where property owners can find out if their home is wasting energy. (Adobe Stock)

With Emerging Incentives, Clean Energy No Longer a VIP Club

Clean-energy products, such as electric vehicles or home heat pump systems, might seem out of reach for a lot of people. But with federal incentives …

Canada-based Enbridge Inc. operates Line 5, an oil pipeline that stretches 645 miles from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. (Adobe Stock)

New Court Fight Emerges Over WI Oil Pipeline

A court hearing is scheduled for this week as environmental and tribal advocates continue to voice concerns about an oil and gas pipeline that runs ac…

Last fall, officials from Agra Energy and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh held a groundbreaking for Wisconsin's first commercial facility to turn dairy farm waste into renewable biofuel. (Photo courtesy UW Oshkosh)

UW Partnership Converts Manure to Jet Fuel in Fighting Climate Change

By Anastasia Pirrami for Great Lakes Echo.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Utilities behind the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center in Wisconsin hope to be in operation by 2027. (Rendering courtesy of Minnesota Power)

Following Energy Trends, WI Regulators Urged to Reconsider Gas Plant

Wisconsin regulators are being asked to take another look at previously approved plans for a proposed natural gas plant. An environmental group …

In its first five years, Wisconsin's Solar for Good program has paved the way for installation of 7.6 megawatts of solar power, enough to power 1,500 households. (Adobe Stock)

Solar for Good: Arrays Keep Rolling Out in WI

By Kari Lydersenfor Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

Wisconsin Republicans have weakened the powers of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and his attorney general. Advocates say that has made it harder for the state to pursue environmental cases in court. (Adobe Stock)

WI Supreme Court Race Outcome Also Linked to Climate Issues

As the state of Wisconsin analyzes the outcome of this week's state Supreme Court election, environmental advocates are hopeful about what it means …

In a 2022 national survey of teachers, 74% said climate change will have an enormous impact on students' futures, and it would be irresponsible not to address the matter in schools. (Adobe Stock)

Closing the Generational Gap on Climate-Change Education

A new report warns that the window is quickly closing to prevent the most harmful effects of climate change. As global leaders face pressure to act…

The most recent Farm Bill covered areas such as agricultural conservation, trade and foreign food assistance, farm credit and research. (Adobe Stock)

Ag Research Community Urges Congress to Avoid Farm Bill Delays

The U.S. Farm Bill is up for reauthorization, and Congress faces calls to avoid any delays so certain programs can keep helping farmers and consumers …

Beyond improving soil and farm animal health, agriculture researchers say managed grazing also provides good habitat for pollinators and wildlife. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers Hope Grazing Funds Aren't Put Out to Pasture

Congress has been holding hearings on the next Farm Bill, which has major implications for the nation's food system. It also shapes conservation …

Environmental experts say a single teaspoon of sidewalk salt is enough to contaminate five gallons of water. (Adobe Stock)

WI Eyes Deicer Training to Curb Salt Pollution

Spring is almost here, but Wisconsin can't rule out the occasional snowstorm over the next few weeks, potentially resulting in more ice-melting …

Like many sectors, agriculture is under pressure to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. But policies like the Inflation Reduction Act are providing extra funding, so more farmers can tap into programs that help improve soil health and water quality. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Program Constraints, 'Climate-Smart' Farming Gets Extra Aid

Farmers looking to enhance their range of climate-friendly practices are getting a boost with new federal funding. Wisconsin producers face a tight …

Highways are hot spots for soot, fine particulate matter that has major effects on people's health. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Faces Mixed Response Over Tighter Standards for Soot

The federal government is gathering public feedback on proposed revisions to air-quality standards for soot, and environmental voices in Wisconsin …

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS chemicals, have been used in a range of products, including firefighting foam. (Adobe Stock)

WI Sees Hope After 3M Decision on Forever Chemicals

Wisconsin and all other states have seen the effects of so-called "forever chemicals." Those pushing for their removal say 3M's announcement to phase …

The Department of Natural Resources estimates Wisconsin's wolf population to be around one thousand. (Adobe Stock)

Public Comments Urged for WI Wolf Management Plan

Wisconsin residents have one month left to comment on a new wolf management plan for the state and conservation groups encourage people to express the…

WI Households Have Ways to Block Heating Bill Sticker Shock

With winter almost here, Wisconsinites are being warned they will not be getting a break on their heating bills this season, and experts pointed out …

Leading scientists have warned that if utility companies do not quickly ramp up clean energy and retire coal and gas power plants, people across the planet will face an increasingly dangerous future from the effects of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Report Grades WI Utilities on Clean-Energy Pledges

Utilities across the country are making climate pledges - but they're not always backing them up. That's according to a report that includes grades …

No-till farming is considered one of several conservation practices in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

New WI Report Provides Snapshot of Sustainable Farming Efforts

Greenhouse gas emissions have been potentially reduced by 50,000 tons in the state, with the help of Wisconsin farmers supported by a statewide …

Concerning levels of PFAS have been discovered in the environment, water and wildlife of the Great Lakes region. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Makes 'Forever Chemicals' a Priority With Latest Action

The federal government is taking new steps to protect people in Wisconsin and other states from "forever chemicals." PFOA and PFOS are two types of p…

According to the Wisconsin DNR, nearly 130,000 hunters applied for black-bear hunting licenses in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

WI Wildlife Advocate: Bear Hounding, Baiting Unethical

Over the next several weeks, Wisconsin's bear hunters will be training their hounds on free-roaming black bears in preparation for this fall's bear-…

According to city documents, Madison's new electric bus fleet will cost about $70 million. In its 2022 budget, the city set aside roughly $26 million in local funding for the project. (Jonah Chester)

WI Communities Prepare to Receive Federal Infrastructure Funding

Six months ago this week, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure law, and Wisconsin's towns and cities are planning how best to …

The planned reroute of Line 5 around the Bad River reservation will cost Enbridge, Inc. about $450 million, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (Adobe Stock)

WI Tribal Advocates: Pipeline Threatens Agricultural Traditions

Enbridge is seeking to reroute a portion of its Line 5 around the Bad River Band's territory in northern Wisconsin. The rerouting falls within the …

The Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line is a nearly $500 million project. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Groups Raise Concerns Over Cardinal-Hickory Creek Line

Earlier this year, a federal court struck down plans to drive the Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line through the Upper Mississippi River National …

The Office of Environmental Justice was one of dozens of recommendations made by the Governor's Task Force on Climate Change, a group Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers established in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Evers Touts New WI Office of Environmental Justice

Wisconsin has a new Office of Environmental Justice, which is tasked with centering equity and fairness as the state proceeds with a new clean-energy …

The Biden administration has set a goal of achieving a fifty percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Elected Officials to Feds: Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

As folks across America celebrate Earth Day, nearly 500 lawmakers have signed a petition calling on the President and Congress to develop a Climate …

Enbridge says its Line 5 pipeline currently transports more than a half-million barrels of oil daily. (Adobe Stock)

Line 5 Drilling Method Raises Environmental Concerns

Enbridge's plan to relocate a portion of its Line 5 pipeline in northern Wisconsin could involve a drilling method even the company admits will like…

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the PFAS family includes more than 4,700 distinct chemicals, which are used in everything from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware. (Adobe Stock)

WI Natural Resources Board Approves New Standards for 'Forever Chemicals'

Wisconsin's Natural Resources Board has approved new contamination standards for Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), a family of …

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Line 5 rerouting was issued in December. (Adobe Stock)

Public Weighs In on Reroute of Controversial Line 5 Project

On Wednesday night, Wisconsinites had a chance to weigh in on Enbridge's controversial Line 5 project, which skirts around tribal territories in the …

While most animals are safe at Lake Michigan's current salinity levels, small critters - like zooplankton, mussels and amphibians - can experience negative effects at lower concentrations. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Lake Michigan Getting Saltier

The Great Lakes hold about one-fifth of the Earth's fresh water, but a new report indicates they're getting saltier - and says that's reason for …

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WI: Environment