Eco-Minute

The State of Wisconsin is joining health and environmental advocates across the country, including Clean Wisconsin, that are suing the EPA over its repeal of climate protections. The cases center on the EPA’s repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding, which found that climate pollution is a threat to public health and welfare. Since that finding, Wisconsin has experienced increases in harms related...

Take a listen to the sound of an endangered species – maybe not happy that he’s being followed. That’s an American Marten – caught on video by a DNR biologist in Wisconsin’s north woods this month. That rare footage has now gone viral. The cute weasel-like creatures are endangered here because of habitat loss from logging. A record-breaking year for outdoor recreation tourism in Wisconsin. Our lak...

The DNR is investigating manure contamination in Trempealeau County. The agency got calls to its confidential warden hotline complaining about animal waste washing off nearby farm fields – and into local waterways. Officials collected dead fish, including brook trout. Farm operators are strongly discouraged from spreading animal waste on land during the winter when it can easily run off into strea...

The Wisconsin Assembly passed a deal to release funding that helps address toxic PFAS contamination in communities across the state. The Legislature created the PFAS trust fund 32 months ago, but since then communities have waited and waited for our state government to create the programs through which the PFAS trust fund can be allocated. Now, an end to that waiting is finally in sight. The Senat...

A new draft of the Farm Bill would shield chemical companies from lawsuits over pesticides. The latest version of the bill released by House Republicans would prevent lawsuits from farmers and consumers harmed by pesticides. And it would take away state control over how and when a pesticide can be used. Wisconsinites are calling on Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin to protect Minnesota’s boun...

A proposal in Congress to allow 15% ethanol-or E15-in auto fuels year-round could increase water contamination in our state. More than a million acres of Wisconsin land is used to grow corn for ethanol, and increasing E15 use could mean even more land devoted to ethanol. Corn causes more nitrate contamination in Wisconsin waterways than any other crop. More than 80,000 private drinking water wells...

Environmental groups across the state – including Clean Wisconsin—are calling for a pause in AI data center projects. The groups issued a joint statement calling on lawmakers to develop a strategic framework that will ensure Wisconsin communities are not harmed by the massive power-and-water-hungry facilities. That call includes: no burning of fossil fuels to power AI data centers, and no increase...

The developer behind an AI data center approved in Port Washington is backing away from plans to buy up land near Green Bay. Residents in the Village of Greenleaf caught wind of the project when some landowners started getting offers from an undisclosed buyer. Once it became clear the buyout was for a massive data center, concerns about water use and other environmental harms quickly followed. Aft...

Neighbors in Kewaunee County upset after large amounts of manure washed off of nearby farm fields and contaminated a local stream that feeds drinking water wells. The DNR says it happened during recent heavy rains and the agency is monitoring the situation. It is not considered a best-practice to spread animal waste on farm fields during the winter when there are no plants to absorb it, although s...

Families and businesses across Wisconsin will likely help pick up the tab once again to keep coal burning in another state. The Trump Administration is ordering two aging coal plants in Indiana to stay open, even though energy regulators there say they are not needed. The cost to bring the plants back online is expected to reach tens of millions of dollars and will likely be paid through price inc...

Wisconsin soybean farmers are pushing the EPA to finalize rules allowing a controversial herbicide back on the market. Dicamba is used on soybeans and cotton that has been genetically modified to resist the weedkiller. But it has a tendency to get into water supplies and drift in the air, hurting other plants like orchards, gardens and trees. The EPA will now require the Dicamba to be mixed other...

Wisconsin’s new rule is a game-changer for solar energy access in apartments, eliminating the costly requirement for separate electric meters for each unit. This comes on the heels of a pivotal Supreme Court ruling affirming the constitutionality of administrative rule delays. Plus, get ready for the 2026 State Parks Admission Pass featuring a charming design by a local High School student....

The new federal budget spells disaster for Wisconsin’s environmental research, with the Upper Midwest Environmental Services Center in La Crosse facing closure alongside similar centers nationwide. Meanwhile, the EPA controversially approves two PFAS-laden pesticides for crops like tomatoes and almonds, while considering relaxing chemical reporting rules. Adding to the turmoil, AI technology...

Clean Wisconsin is challenging new energy grid rules that prioritize gas-burning plants over renewable sources, claiming they unfairly benefit fossil fuels. A proposed 1.2 gigawatt gas plant exemplifies the issue, potentially sidelining cheaper, cleaner energy like wind and solar. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s Pettit Ice Arena is embracing sustainability by installing a massive solar rooftop array to cut...

A proposed AI data center in Dane County threatens to consume over twice the county’s current electricity usage. Tech developer QTS plans to build the data center on 600 acres in Viana, prompting county officials to consider amending their comprehensive plan. In response, Senator Jody Sineken and Representative Angela Stroud have introduced a bill mandating transparency in water use and an a...

AI data centers in Wisconsin are guzzling more water than expected, potentially surpassing even major cities’ consumption, according to Clean Wisconsin’s latest analysis. Despite using water recycling, these centers’ energy needs are a significant drain on the state’s water resources. Meanwhile, the EPA has paused plans to scrap the Energy Star program, which saves American...

Air pollution ups breast cancer risk, says an Oregon study, spotlighting the perils of heavy vehicle emissions, especially as the Trump administration rolls back EPA rules. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s rural communities brace for a federal food share cut, threatening local farmers markets and leaving thousands in the lurch. In brighter news, Wisconsin Apples orchard shines as a top organic apple p...

Federal budget cuts are threatening Wisconsin trout as funding slashes hit the USGS Ecosystem Mission Area, crucial in battling invasive sea lampreys. These parasitic fish have wreaked havoc on Great Lakes fisheries, but recent progress is now at risk. Meanwhile, as autumn leaves carpet our lawns, experts advise against sending them to landfills. Fallen leaves serve as winter havens for pollinator...

Amy Barrilleaux reports from Stella, Wisconsin, where residents demand answers from the EPA and DNR over dangerous PFAS contamination linked to industrial sludge from paper companies. Alarmingly, there’s no mandate to disclose PFAS in agricultural sludge. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s coastal areas receive a financial boost with $1.3 million in grants aimed at shoreline preservation, celebrating Coastal...

Wisconsin takes a leap towards clean energy with the approval of its first wind farm in 14 years, the Badger Hollow Wind Energy Center, alongside a new solar farm. Yet, record high temperatures in cities like Milwaukee signal trouble for fall’s vibrant hues. The Wisconsin State Climatology Office warns that hotter nights, a result of climate change, lead to duller leaf colors. Meanwhile, AI...

Michigan’s Supreme Court is set to hear a pivotal case against Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline, as opponents claim legal violations in the approval of an oil tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. Meanwhile, a new report by Clean Wisconsin highlights the dire impact of nitrate pollution from fertilizers and manure, forcing families to endure higher water costs and health risks. A staggering...

Clean Wisconsin’s latest analysis unveils a startling fact: AI data centers in the state, notably Vantage Data Center and Microsoft’s new hub, will consume over 3.9 gigawatts—more power than all state homes combined. Meanwhile, Senator Tammy Baldwin celebrates the Senate’s approval of a crucial bill to combat toxic algae in Wisconsin’s lakes. This legislation mandates impro...

Wisconsin hunters are warned: mallard and wood ducks from Green Bay are contaminated with PFAS chemicals, traced to Tyco fire products. Meanwhile, the crucial Mississippi River Ecosystem Research Area faces severe federal budget cuts, threatening its century-old scientific contributions on water quality and wildlife. These developments underscore the importance of environmental vigilance and advoc...

Wisconsin’s environmental scene heats up as a state court of appeals rejects a lawsuit threatening crucial water protections, safeguarding waterways from CAFOs’ waste. Meanwhile, the Line 5 oil pipeline controversy escalates, with the battle shifting to Madison. Experts are set to testify on the environmental risks of Enbridge’s plan to expand the pipeline, which involves clearin...

Regulators have imposed a hefty $29 million burden on Midwest families to revive a dormant coal plant in Michigan, thanks to a controversial Trump-era emergency order. The financial hit has sparked outcry as the plant’s inefficiency becomes painfully clear in just five weeks. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s often-overlooked wetlands are emerging as unsung heroes, offering a staggering $4.5 billion in...