For years, environmental advocates have urged state and federal governments to do something about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS.  Called “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment, PFAS chemicals have been linked to liver disease and immunodeficiency disorders.

In the 2023-2025 biennial budget, the Wisconsin Legislature finally acted, authorizing 125 million dollars in cleanup grants to PFAS-affected communities. But, as with everything coming out of the Republican-led state legislature, there’s a catch.  Senate Bill 312, the authorizing legislation that allows the state to actually spend that PFAS remediation money, also includes provisions that weaken the state Department of Natural Resources’ ability to regulate polluters who spill PFAS into the state’s waters.

Peter Burress is the Government Affairs Manager for Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and he joins us now in the studio.

Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay

Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate here