The Defender

While federal money props up old coal power plants in Wisconsin, the EPA is busy relaxing rules meant to keep coal's toxic pollution out of our air and water. In this episode, what our nation's new commitment to old coal means for Wisconsin's water and for the regulations that are supposed to protect us. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Evan Feinauer Resources for You: Wiscons...

It's happening in every corner of Wisconsin—Cassville, Menomonie, Superior, Madison, La Crosse County, Dane County, Westport, Manitowoc County, Door County. Communities all over the state are passing moratoriums and ordinances aimed at stopping what a year ago seemed unstoppable: the unchecked flood of AI data centers into our state. In this episode, who is pushing this avalanche of local action,...

Have we been sold a bill of goods about ethanol? In this episode, the toll ethanol is taking on our health right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  New Report: Nitrate Contamination Driving Health Crisis in Wisconsin Proposal to increase E-15 would cause substantial harms in Wisconsin Common Pestic...

In this episode, what the rain and snow are telling about PFAS pollution in the Upper Midwest—plus some information about new PFAS laws in Minnesota that could be a blueprint for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Alexander Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant Resources for you: Amara's Law regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota) Episode 62: What to Know about PFAS i...

A circuit court judge is deciding whether permits issued by the state allowing Enbridge to build its Line 5 pipeline reroute in Wisconsin's Northwoods are legal. But in the meantime, he is allowing work on the new Line 5 to continue -- except in a few key places. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney Resources for You: Wisconsin: One one of the Most Important Places...

Amy talks with a researcher who took a deep dive into the water impacts of AI data centers. What she found is something you're not hearing many tech companies talking about. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Hannah Richerson, Water Policy Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Clear As Mud: Hidden Thirst Of D...

Wisconsin was one of the first places where the farm-to-table movement really took root. But now that movement is changing, becoming more urgent in the face of the flooding, droughts, and changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on our food systems. In this episode, Amy welcomes Madison's 2025 Chef of the Year Evan Danells of Cadre to talk about why these days chefs are adding protecting t...

Right now there are three AI data centers under construction in Wisconsin. So how do you minimize the toll they will take on our environment and our energy bills?  On this episode, a deep dive into data center tariffs at the PSC and what they mean for you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Brett Korte Resources for You: Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Devlopment Related...

The science supporting climate change has long been settled, but progress remains painfully slow. Especially here in Wisconsin, where we have laws on the books that are actively helping to keep fossil fuels burning here. But maybe not for long. In this episode meet one of 15 kids who is suing our state over climate change. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Madeleine Bohn, Wisconsin High School Student...

On this episode, a look at the fallout from a rapid dismantling of environmental protections, and what groups like Clean Wisconsin and so many others are doing to keep people safe. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Resources For You:  Economic Impacts of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Energy Provisions on Wisconsin Clean Wisconsin Sues EPA Over Repeal Of...

What makes the food you eat healthy? Turns out it's a pretty complicated question that goes way beyond the four food groups. In this episode, Amy visits Starry Nights Farm in Burlington to learn about some groundbreaking research—involving beef raised right here in Wisconsin—that's changing the way we look at food and nutrition.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Paul Maggio and Marisa Wiewall, Starry...

Communities across Wisconsin are starting to push back when energy utilities come to town with big plans for big gas plants. But how do you turn opposition into victory? In this episode, Amy talks with the mayor of Superior about the city's long journey to defeat the Nemadji Trail Energy Center—the ugly gas plant with the pretty name. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Mayor Jim Paine, Superior, Wis. Re...

There is a lot of new excitement around nuclear energy these days, and no coincidence, it comes as we face staggering energy demands from AI data centers. Now, the Trump Administration is relaxing environmental and safety regulations for new nuclear reactors. In this episode, a look at what would happen to our environment - and our energy bills - if utilities race to meet AI demand by building mor...

In the race to transition to clean, safe energy, there are lessons to be learned just about everywhere, including in Texas. In this episode, what January's major winter storm is teaching us about our power grid—and the painful lesson we are all going to learn this month about natural gas. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, PhD, Energy and Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin

On this episode, some real hope that a bipartisan solution for state PFAS funding is at hand -- and the industry that is coming in at the last minute to try to kill it.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Erik Kanter, Government Relations Director, Clean Wisconsin  Resources for You:  Clean Wisconsin Action Network  

In this episode, how new action from the EPA is undermining one of the most successful environmental laws in US history. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Nick Mailloux, PhD Student, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Resources for You: Join Clean Wisconsin's Action Network Pollution and Our Health: The Environmental Health Initiative    

In this episode, how a small Wisconsin community stood up to one of the most powerful companies in the world… and won. And what we can all learn from their fight. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Prescott Balch, Village of Caledonia resident Resources for You: Stop Unchecked Data Center Development (petition) AI Data Center Energy Demand Analysis  AI Data Center Offsite Water Withdrawals      

On this episode a look what could be sprayed on food and farm fields all around us - plus a bit of Wisconsin history that offers some hope as we confront a new batch of toxic chemicals. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin Water & Agency Program Director Resources for You: Under the Lens: What we know about PFAS in Wisconsin's Water Nitrate pollution's impact on Wisconsn's he...

Meet the Wisconsin native who is foraging 100% of his food. What was the last thing you foraged? Maybe some ramps, or morels? But what about your salt, oil, even toothpaste? On this episode, meet the Wisconsin native who is setting out to prove that he can not only survive for an entire year eating only food he has foraged, but he can also help show the true connection to nature most of us have be...

Don't look at the gas plant behind the curtain! If you feel like tech companies and energy utilities are gaslighting you with their assurances that AI data centers won't hurt our environment, you're probably right.  In this episode, how AI is causing a fossil fuel boom in Wisconsin and the lawsuit just filed to try and stop it.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests:  Katie Nekola, General Counsel, Clean W...

You may have heard, Wisconsin needs more power and we need it fast. In the next few years, AI data centers will cause an unprecedented surge in energy demand across our state. There are already large expensive new powerplants being built to help meet that demand with more to come. But the big question is, will Wisconsinites be left shouldering the cost? In this episode, the shocking energy needs o...

What if you could make a difference in the fight to protect our environment by doing nothing at all? In this episode, why fall is the perfect time to be lazy - for the planet. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elizabeth Braat, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources  Resources for You: Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade Episode 43: The hidden pesticides that could be lurking in your pollinator garden Neoni...

T he amazing story of one Wisconsin food that was banned, burned, disappeared from our plates - and the comeback that's being helped along by solar farms.   Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Lily Hislop, Savanna Institute Resources for You: Black Currants: A once-forbidden fruit Farming for the Future: Charting a course for a new food system Black Currant: Ribes Nigrum

A Clean Wisconsin analysis shows just two approved data centers in Wisconsin will use more power than all the homes in our state combined. More than the generation capacity of the Point Beach nuclear plant, the single-largest source of power in Wisconsin. And that leaves a lot of people are wondering, where is all this leading us? What will it mean for Wisconsin's precious water resources, our lan...

There is no question we are living through a stressful, often overhwelming time. So if you're feeling hopeless, especially in the face of the climate crisis, no one could blame you. But there is no better place to find hope – than in other people. How you can joing people from all walks of life in Sunday, Sept 28 to take a stand for our climate right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest:...