A bill to allocate $125 million for PFAS cleanup in Wisconsin has failed due to political gridlock, preventing the release of crucial funds.
Henry Redman reports for Wisconsin Examiner.
In short:
- The bill, supported by both environmental and business groups initially, aimed to clean up PFAS contamination but was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers.
- Disputes centered around provisions that critics argued would protect polluters from accountability while taxpayers bore the cleanup costs.
- The failure of the bill has left Wisconsin communities, including Madison and Wausau, without needed funds to address widespread PFAS contamination.
Key quote:
“The federal government does not set standards for groundwater. The state does. The reason that we don’t have a promulgated standard under state law is because Senate Republicans stood in the way of that standard.”
— Tony Wilkin Gibart, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates
Why this matters:
PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," are linked to severe health issues including cancer. Resolving this legislative impasse is crucial for addressing widespread contamination and protecting public health. Read more: EPA releases proposed drinking water standards for six “forever chemicals.”
