New PFAS legislation would allow critical PFAS groundwater standards to progress
MADISON –Today Sen. Brad Pfaff and Rep. Jill Billings introduced LRB 5764. The legislation would exempt PFAS groundwater standards from the 2017 REINS act, an overreaching Walker-era policy that recently blocked the DNR’s ability to set those standards, until the legislature authorizes the process to continue.
Government Affairs Manager Peter Burress had this to say on today’s development:
“While we wait for the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee to release the $125 million for PFAS remediation, we must also focus on establishing groundwater standards for PFAS. A third of Wisconsinites rely on private wells for their drinking water. Those who do are at risk of suffering the dire effects of these forever chemicals. Those include cancer, decreased fertility, liver damage, learning and behavioral deficits in kids, and increased cholesterol levels – among others.
Sen. Pfaff and Rep. Billings are doing the right thing for their constituents and Wisconsin while Republicans in the legislature stand silent and do nothing as people continue to be poisoned through no fault of their own. It’s critical we pass this legislation. The consequences of PFAS pollution are far too important to be ignored.”
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
- Trump Administration moves to weaken standards for toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water - Clean Wisconsin - May 14th, 2025
- Wisconsin Officials Unhappy With EPA Plan To Weaken PFAS Standards - Danielle Kaeding - May 14th, 2025
- Wisconsin Could Lose $55 Million Under Proposed EPA Budget Cuts - Danielle Kaeding - May 7th, 2025
- French Island Makes Progress on PFAS Pollution - Richelle Wilson and Trevor Hook - Mar 24th, 2025
- Who Will Pay for PFAS Pollution? - Bennet Goldstein - Feb 27th, 2025
- Gov. Evers’ biennial state budget prioritizes clean water, clean energy, and public lands for Wisconsin - Wisconsin Conservation Voters - Feb 18th, 2025
- Gov. Evers Announces Comprehensive Plan to Ensure Clean Water for Kids and Families in 2025 Year of the Kid - Gov. Tony Evers - Feb 18th, 2025
- GOP Lawmakers Propose School Water Filters to Address PFAS, Lead - Danielle Kaeding - Feb 14th, 2025
- Wisconsin Conservation Voters thank Gov. Evers for prioritizing public health, urges bipartisan prioritization of baseline PFAS groundwater standards - Wisconsin Conservation Voters - Feb 5th, 2025
- Evers Announces $145 Million Plan to Address PFAS - Danielle Kaeding - Feb 4th, 2025
Read more about PFAS Problem here