Clean Wisconsin weighs-in on major PFAS bill, calls for changes to language that could weaken spills law
Bill provides funding to help Wisconsin communities address “forever chemicals” but could constrain state’s ability to hold polluters accountable.
Today Clean Wisconsin Water & Agriculture Program Director Sara Walling spoke to members of the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy about Senate Bill 312, which focuses of PFAS contamination. During her testimony, Walling stressed that the bill along with the $125 million recently allocated for PFAS clean-up in the state budget process represent a significant step toward addressing this statewide issue.
“While the actual cost to clean up PFAS pollution, provide safe drinking water and prevent future contamination is difficult to calculate, $125 million is a significant investment that should provide extensive assistance to many affected communities,” said Walling, adding that municipal grant programs created in Senate Bill 312 are also critical.
But Walling stopped short of supporting the bill, pointing to concerns over language in the bill limiting the Department of Natural Resources’ ability to hold polluters accountable.
“…we believe the language risks needlessly weakening Wisconsin’s Spills Law. We won’t make progress on this issue if, for every one step forward in the use of these proposed new grants, communities will move two steps back in adequately identifying contaminated properties, remediating those properties, and, if necessary, holding polluters accountable. We urge the bill authors to consider amendments that ensure PFAS and related compounds are treated the same as other relevant contaminants under the Spills Law. Limiting the department’s statutory authority in the ways suggested by this bill will not help Wisconsin address this problem,” she told the committee.
After today’s hearing, Walling was optimistic that amendments would be made to safeguard the DNR’s ability to respond to PFAS contamination sites.
“Clean Wisconsin has been working with DNR staff and the bill’s authors. There is a willingness to address this and avoid unintended consequences that could actually move Wisconsin backwards when it comes to addressing the PFAS crisis,” she said. “It’s critical that the DNR be able to respond quickly and meaningfully to contamination incidents. So we’ll keep working to make sure the DNR’s authority to do that is protected.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the PFAS Problem
- PFAS in Foam Far Worse Than Water in Wisconsin’s Rivers, Lakes - Danielle Kaeding - Jul 10th, 2024
- Lawmakers At Odds Over Releasing Health, PFAS Funds - Erik Gunn - Jun 6th, 2024
- Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Vetoes - Baylor Spears - May 15th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Sues Republican Legislators for Continued Obstruction of Investments Intended to Address Pressing Challenges Facing Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 13th, 2024
- Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds - Erik Gunn - May 8th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Again Calls Republican Lawmakers into Special Meeting to Urge Immediate Release of $140 Million to Fight PFAS Statewide, Respond to Hospital Closures in Western Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 6th, 2024
- The State of Politics: Voters Worried About PFAS in Water - Steven Walters - Apr 22nd, 2024
- EPA Slaps Two PFAS Chemicals With Superfund Law Designation - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 19th, 2024
- DNR Responds To EPA’s Designation Of PFOA And PFOS As Hazardous Substances - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 19th, 2024
- Evers Won’t Rule Out Court Challenge to Force Release of PFAS Funds - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 16th, 2024
Read more about PFAS Problem here
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