The Defender

While federal money props up old coal power plants in Wisconsin, the EPA is busy relaxing rules meant to keep coal's toxic pollution out of our air and water.

In this episode, what our nation's new commitment to old coal means for Wisconsin's water and for the regulations that are supposed to protect us.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Evan Feinauer

Resources for You:

Wisconsinites May Soon Pay Higher Bills to Keep Coal Plants Open in Indiana

Wisconsin foots the bill for coal's last hurrah

Trump order to keep Michigan coal plant open will mean higher bills for Wisconsinites

Speak out against the Red Oak Ridge gas plant proposal

It's happening in every corner of Wisconsin—Cassville, Menomonie, Superior, Madison, La Crosse County, Dane County, Westport, Manitowoc County, Door County. Communities all over the state are passing moratoriums and ordinances aimed at stopping what a year ago seemed unstoppable: the unchecked flood of AI data centers into our state.

In this episode, who is pushing this avalanche of local action, and will it be enough to stem the environmental harms already unfolding because of AI data centers?

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Blaine Halverson, Community Organizer, Great Lakes Neighbors United

Resources for You:

Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Development

Great Lakes Neighbors United

Episode 74: The Truth About AI Data Centers and Our Water

Into Thin Air: How AI data center energy use harms our water resources

AI Data Centers will use more energy than all the homes in the state combined

Have we been sold a bill of goods about ethanol? In this episode, the toll ethanol is taking on our health right here in Wisconsin.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin

Resources for You:

New Report: Nitrate Contamination Driving Health Crisis in Wisconsin

Proposal to increase E-15 would cause substantial harms in Wisconsin

Common Pesticides Used in Wisconsin and Potential Health Harms

Health Brief: Nitrates in Wisconsin's Drinking Water

In this episode, what the rain and snow are telling about PFAS pollution in the Upper Midwest—plus some information about new PFAS laws in Minnesota that could be a blueprint for Wisconsin.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Alexander Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant

Resources for you:

Amara's Law regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota)

Episode 62: What to Know about PFAS in Pesticides

PFAS Contamination in Public and Private Wells in Wisconsin (Health Research Brief)

A circuit court judge is deciding whether permits issued by the state allowing Enbridge to build its Line 5 pipeline reroute in Wisconsin's Northwoods are legal. But in the meantime, he is allowing work on the new Line 5 to continue -- except in a few key places.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney

Resources for You:

Wisconsin: One one of the Most Important Places om Earth (Video)

Stop the Line 5 Oil Pipeline

Amy talks with a researcher who took a deep dive into the water impacts of AI data centers. What she found is something you're not hearing many tech companies talking about.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Hannah Richerson, Water Policy Manager, Clean Wisconsin

Resources for You:

Wisconsin was one of the first places where the farm-to-table movement really took root. But now that movement is changing, becoming more urgent in the face of the flooding, droughts, and changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on our food systems.

In this episode, Amy welcomes Madison's 2025 Chef of the Year Evan Danells of Cadre to talk about why these days chefs are adding protecting the planet to the menu.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Chef Evan Danells, Cadre

Resources for You:

2026 Epicurean Evening Menu & Tickets

Right now there are three AI data centers under construction in Wisconsin. So how do you minimize the toll they will take on our environment and our energy bills?

On this episode, a deep dive into data center tariffs at the PSC and what they mean for you.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Brett Korte

Resources for You:

Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Devlopment

Related Episodes:

Episode 56: Data Center Secrets

Episode 59: Who's Paying for Data Centers?

Episode 60: Hey tech companies, your gas is showing!

Episode 63: How Caledonia, WI Defeated a Date Center

Episode 67: The Nuclear Option

The science supporting climate change has long been settled, but progress remains painfully slow. Especially here in Wisconsin, where we have laws on the books that are actively helping to keep fossil fuels burning here.

But maybe not for long. In this episode meet one of 15 kids who is suing our state over climate change.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guests:

Madeleine Bohn, Wisconsin High School Student

Skylar Harris, Attorney, Midwest Environmental Advocates

On this episode, a look at the fallout from a rapid dismantling of environmental protections, and what groups like Clean Wisconsin and so many others are doing to keep people safe.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Katie Nekola, Clean Wisconsin General Counsel

Resources For You:

Clean Wisconsin Sues EPA Over Repeal Of Climate Protections