Wisconsin Republicans are moving closer toward a Senate floor vote on a bill that would address pollution from PFAS chemicals. The Senate's natural resources committee approved the proposal 3-2 Wednesday, clearing the way for a full Senate vote.
Sen. Rob Cowles, from left, Rep. Rob Swearingen, Sen. Eric Wimberger, at podium, and Rep. Jeff Mursau address the media as they introduce a revised version of their bill to combat PFAS contamination on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. in the state Capitol in Madison, Wis. Sen. Rob Cowles, from left, Rep. Rob Swearingen, Sen. Eric Wimberger, at podium, and Rep. Jeff Mursau address the media as they introduce a revised version of their bill to combat PFAS contamination on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
The measure would create a grant program to help municipalities and landowners test for PFAS in their water treatment plants and wells. The state Department of Natural Resources would be barred from delaying development projects based on PFAS contamination unless the pollution is so intense that it endangers the public’s health or could further degrade the environment.
The version of the bill they presented to the Senate natural resources committee Wednesday retains the grant program but makes landfills eligible for testing funding as well. It retains the restrictions on the DNR and goes further, blocking the agency from taking any enforcement action against a landowner for PFAS contamination if the landowner allows the department to remediate the property at the state’s expense.
Evers’ administration controls the DNR and Democrats on the committee called the restrictions on the agency a deal-breaker.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
University of Wisconsin System will change its name to The Universities of Wisconsin by 2024The University of Wisconsin System plans to change its name to the Universities of Wisconsin by early next year. System President Jay Rothman announced the change Tuesday at UW-Eau Claire. He said in a statement that the change is designed to draw attention to the system’s 13 four-year universities as they struggle with declining enrollment. Rothman said the system will transition over the next few months with new letterhead and websites. The move will be finalized in early 2024. The universitie
Read more »
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice advises Republican leader against impeachmentThere should be no effort to impeach a liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice based on what is known now, a former justice advised the Republican legislative leader who asked him to review the issue
Read more »
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice advises Republican leader against impeachmentThere should be no effort to impeach a liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice based on what is known now, a former justice advised the Republican legislative leader who asked him to review the issue. That is what former Justice David Prosser advised Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Friday in an email. Prosser turned over the email as part of an open records request from the liberal watchdog group American Oversight. Vos has raised the prospect of impeaching newly elected Justice Janet Protasiewicz
Read more »
Former Dodgers star and Republican Steve Garvey enters U.S. Senate raceGarvey, a former All-Star first baseman for the Dodgers, may upend the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Dianne Feinstein since 1992.
Read more »
Steve Garvey launches California Senate run as a RepublicanLiz Kreutz is an NBC News correspondent.
Read more »
Arizona Republican Kari Lake launches 2024 senate campaignAfter a failed bid for Arizona governor in 2022, Republican Kari Lake will attempt to unseat Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Independent, in a 2024 election that could be a three-party contest.
Read more »