Threats to federal funding for pollution cleanup, clean energy initiatives spark anger in Wisconsin communities

Wisconsin communities are pushing back against the Trump Administration’s efforts to slash funding for clean energy, pollution cleanup, and infrastructure improvements, warning that these cuts will have harmful local consequences. People from across Wisconsin are calling on their Congressional lawmakers to protect the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law after the Trump Administration recently announced plans to scrap the popular initiatives. The laws support a wide range of environmental programs in Wisconsin, including farmland conservation, toxic waste and heavy metal cleanup, Great Lakes restoration work, and energy-saving upgrades for homes and small businesses.

“Please protect our federal investments in clean energy production, environmental protections, and the advancement of cleaner air, water, and land in our great state,” wrote Nathan Dombeck of Janesville to Rep. Bryan Steil. Federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is slated to replace 5,000 lead pipes in Steil’s district.

The Trump Administration has moved to freeze millions of dollars in funding headed for Wisconsin, including money for the popular Environmental Quality Incentives Program, known as EQIP, used by thousands of Wisconsin farmers to implement conservation practices on their land. Also in the crosshairs, funding boosts under the IRA for the Rural Energy for America Program, which provides financial assistance for Wisconsin farmers and small business to make improvements that save energy.

“Whether you believe in human caused climate change or not these investments are good for our state. I am a farmer and have been impacted by the drastic weather-related incidents science says is related to climate change,” wrote Joan Arnold of Rudolph, Wis., to Rep. Derrick Van Orden. “I am also a retired Army officer who many years ago received an education from the Army that discussed our climate change and how that would affect our national security. If we don’t continue to alleviate and mitigate our actions, we will put our nation at risk and my tax money will continue to go to FEMA related weather disasters.”

Clean energy projects under the IRA have already spurred $5.44 billion in investments and thousands of new jobs in Wisconsin, according to a new report from Climate Power.

Van Orden’s district, which covers much of southwestern Wisconsin, is set to receive more than $574 million in federal funds for a variety of initiatives, including clean energy projects, wildlife habitat restoration, tree plantings, and upgrades to protect roads and bridges to protect from floods.

To view an interactive map showing how farms, businesses and communities across Wisconsin have benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, visit Clean Wisconsin’s Federal Funds for Wisconsin webpage.

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.