State Assembly failed to pass meaningful PFAS protections

Marinette Water Tower
, By Clean Wisconsin

GREEN BAY, WI — Clean Wisconsin joined State Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and members of Marinette-based group S.O.H.2.O at a press conference at the Brown County Courthouse on Tuesday on the State Assembly’s failure to pass meaningful legislation to protect Wisconsin residents from the dangers of PFAS pollution.

“As the Assembly punted on passing meaningful solutions on PFAS until next year, people in places like Marinette are continuing to rely on bottle water deliveries for access to safe drinking water,” said Carly Michiels, Government Relations Director for Clean Wisconsin. “They have a right to clean, safe water and their health does not and should not have to come at the expense of inaction. But unfortunately, the amendment that passed the Assembly provides no genuine solutions for communities dealing with PFAS contamination issues.”

The Assembly passed an amendment on an unrelated bill (SB 559) in the middle of the night on their final floor session of the year. The amendment is duplicative and undermines some of the work already underway at the Department of Natural Resources.

“Communities and families should no longer be forced to figure out how to deal with a massive contamination problem like this on their own,” said Michiels. “Real solutions should have been prioritized this legislative session. But unfortunately, there is still no relief for families dealing with PFAS.”