Press Releases

Statement on Gogebic Taconite Closing Wisconsin Operation

February 28, 2015

MADISON — Gogebic Taconite’s announcement today that it is shuttering its Hurley office and ending its current efforts to build an open-pit iron mine in Northern Wisconsin comes as no surprise. From the first rumor of this mining company coming into Wisconsin’s Northwoods five years ago, there was no debating the significant risk to natural resources the mine posed.…

Coal ash regulations fall short of protecting our health, water

December 19, 2014

MADISON — After years of waiting, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the first national regulations for the disposal of coal ash from power plants this afternoon. Despite the long wait, today’s regulations do not adequately protect our water and our health.…

Clean Wisconsin files air quality standards lawsuit

December 11, 2014

MADISON — Clean Wisconsin and Midwest Environmental Defense Center filed a lawsuit today to compel the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to comply with federal requirements regarding air quality standards.…

Permit for Heifer Operation a Victory for Clean Water

December 2, 2014

MADISON — An Adams County heifer operation must install additional monitoring equipment and continue efforts to clean up the groundwater under a state wastewater permit granted Tuesday. The permit comes amid a large public outcry over nitrate contamination at Burr Oak Heifers, in Richfield, Adams County.…

Clean Wisconsin Study Shows Well Contamination Across Southeastern Wisconsin, Finds Links With Coal Ash

November 18, 2014

MADISON — A study released by Clean Wisconsin finds that more than one in five wells across Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties are contaminated with molybdenum at levels above the state health advisory level. Families and schools in the area are being forced to buy bottled water or install expensive purification systems to avoid the toxic metal, which is found in coal ash.…

EPA Action Sought To Clean Up Kewaunee County Groundwater

October 22, 2014

MADISON — Six environmental groups including one national organization are seeking federal action on longstanding groundwater contamination issues in Kewaunee County, where roughly 30 percent of tested wells are compromised by bacteria, high nitrate levels, or both.…

Judge: DNR Was Right to Require Groundwater Monitoring At New Chester

September 19, 2014

A judge has ruled that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was right to use its authority to require groundwater monitoring equipment at New Chester Dairy, Grand Marsh, in Adams County. Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey Boldt’s order Friday marks the second significant ruling on Central Wisconsin groundwater disputes in less than a month that will have a positive impact on protection of natural resources statewide.…

DNR: WPS Must Comply With Mercury Limits

August 25, 2014

MADISON — The state Department of Natural Resources has denied Wisconsin Public Service’s request to abandon the protective standards limiting mercury pollution at the Weston 4 power plant.…

Cross State Air Pollution Rule a Win for Wisconsin

April 30, 2014

Tuesday's Supreme Court decision upholding EPA rule will benefit Wisconsin residents

MADISON — State by state, air pollution from coal-fired power plants is a deadly export. Here in Wisconsin, we’re breathing pollution from states as far away as Texas, Virginia and North Carolina. The smog and soot are tied to heart attacks, bronchitis and asthma. Wind patterns make us a bad neighbor as well, whisking our pollutants all over the map to communities in Michigan, New Jersey, South Dakota and many others.