State of Change

What's it going to take to get Wisconsin to 100% clean energy? If you listen to the state's biggest power companies, it's more methane gas. Wisconsin is on the verge of an expensive gas construction boom if utilities like We Energies in Alliant Energy have their way. But what about wind and solar? Is it possible for Wisconsin to finally trade in fossil fuels for clean energy right now? Amy talks with energy expert Dr. Ciaran Gallagher.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Dr. Ciaran Gallagher, Energy Manager, Clean Wisconsin

Background Reading:

Under the Lens, the Truth About Natural Gas

Stopping Gas Expansion in Wisconsn

Power Wisconsin Forward: An affordable, reliable, fossil-free future

New research reveals how much it would cost to remove toxic PFAS 'forever' chemicals from the environment at the same rate we're currently producing and using them. Spoiler alert: we don't have enough money in the world. Hear from the researcher behind the study who says it should inspire optimism not hopelessness in the face of our growing PFAS problem.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Ali Ling, PhD

Background Reading:

The Future of Persistent 'Forever" Chemicals

Under the Lens: What we know about PFAS in Wisconsin's drinking water

Toxic PFAS pollution devastates two Wisconsin Communities (video)

What keeps you safe -- when you drink water, take medicine, get on an airplane, or take out a loan? It’s often a government agency charged with implementing our health, safety and consumer protection laws. But recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court have cast a long shadow. Legal experts say the rulings point to a Court that is actively working to unravel longstanding protections and policies, not just for the environment but across the board, and the harm will be far reaching. 

Amy Barrilleaux

Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney

Rulings from U.S. Supreme Court a disaster for the environment

Clean Wisconsin takes legal action to protect communities from toxic mercury pollution

New EPA power plant rules will save lives in Wisconsin

Clean Wisconsin Legal Work

How do you get people to start paying attention to the urgency of climate change? Just like the name says, Science Moms is a growing non-partisan group of scientists and mothers who are spreading the word about our climate and joining forces to demand change from our leaders. Amy talks with UW Madison professor Dr. Tracey Holloway, who is a member of Science Moms.

Amy Barrilleaux

Tracey Holloway, Professor of Environmental Studies & Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Science Mom

Science Moms website

Wisconsin Agriculture's Critical Role in Addressing Climate Change

New Energy Study Shows Net-Zero Emissions Possible for Wisconsin by 2050

Federal Funds for Wisconsin: Take advantage of sweeping federal investments in clean energy and efficiency

What if there was a grain that didn’t have to be replanted every year? One with deep roots that stay in the soil, trap carbon, prevent erosion, filter water. Kernza – the world’s first perennial grain crop – could be a game changer when it comes to sustainable food production and using our land to help fight climate change. But the big question: does is make a good beer? In this episode, Amy heads to Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee to find out.

Kernza® is the trademark name for the grain of an intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) being developed at The Land Institute in Kansas.

Amy Barrilleaux

Russ Klisch, Owner & Co-Founder of Lakefront Brewery

Climate-Smart Crops: Kernza

Kerna Crunch: The Race to Develop the First Perennial Grain Crop (podcast)

Impacts of Conventional Agriculture in Wisconsin

The Land Institute: Kernza Grain

No Mow May is here, but does it really make a difference in the battle to save our bees and butterflies? Amy walks through a typical Wisconsin yard with pollinator expert Elizabeth Braatz.

Amy Barrilleaux

Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade

Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators

Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison 

When you think about the future of energy, do you picture you gas-fired power plants? In this episode, Amy looks at why power companies are racing to build new gas plants and what it means for the future of energy bills, our health and our climate.

We Energies, the largest power company in Wisconsin, recently announced plans to transition two major power plants from coal to natural gas, build two more new gas-fired facilities, and build another new facility to hold liquefied gas. If you think it sounds like a major shift toward more fossil fuel development, you're right. We Energies’ parent company WEC Energy Group filed an application with the Public Service Commission to get special accounting treatment on the high-dollar projects before they’ve established a need for all that gas.

Are gas-fired power plants the bridge to clean energy that power companies claim?

Amy Barrilleaux

Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin

Katie Nekola, Attorney, Clean Wisconsin

• Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas
• We Enegies Doubles Down on Gas

Wisconsin's Public Service Commission approved a large methane gas plant four years ago. The site: a bluff overlooking the Nemadji River near the Minnesota border in Superior. At ​the ​time, ​Superior's ​city ​council ​unanimously ​supported ​the ​project. ​But ​it ​didn't ​take ​long ​for ​opinions ​to ​change. 

In this episode, Amy talks with ​Superior City ​Councilor ​Jenny ​Van ​Sickle who ​at ​first ​supported ​the ​plant ​and ​is ​now ​helping ​lead ​the ​charge ​to ​stop ​it. ​Find ​out ​what ​has ​changed -- and what YOU can do to help fight the plant.

Amy Barrilleaux

Jenny Van Sickle, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Take Action Now: Call on federal officials to denty funding for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center

Fighting the Nemadji Trail Energy Center gas plant

Indigenous tribes urge federal officials to deny loan for Superior gas plant

1939. It's the year researchers at the University of Wisconsin developed a hearty red corn that could tolerate Wisconsin winters and feed the state’s dairy cows. Before long, farms all over the state were sending trainloads of their ruby red corn to feed livestock across the country. But it didn’t last. The 1970s ushered in genetically modified corn with enormous yields and out went Wisconsin’s home grown red variety. Until now...

In this episode, Amy heads to the home of J. Henry & Sons Bourbon in Dane County where Wisconsin’s old red feed corn is getting a  brand new life – as the key ingredient in world class bourbon.  A farm-to-glass experience that starts in the snowy fields of the Dairy State.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Joe Henry, J. Henry & Sons

It's no exaggeration to say PFAS 'forever chemicals' are everywhere. Some states have found PFAS tainting milk supplies and contaminating crops. What are the consequences of population-wide exposure to these toxic chemicals? Amy talks with Clean Wisconsin Science Program Director Dr. Paul Mathewson about the latest research.

Amy Barrilleaux

Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin

• Learn more about the latest PFAS health research in Clean Wisconsin's recent comments to the Natural Resources Board on the impact of proposed groundwater standards
• Find out more about PFAS contamination in Wisconsin
• Read the latest PFAS Fish Consumption Advisories for Wisconsin
• View an interactive map of PFAS contamination sites in Wisconsin

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