Defender
Summer 2018 we believe everyone deserves clean water and clean air
A Legal Win for Wisconsin's Wetlands Victory upholds protections for rare wetlands, permitting The Wisconsin Natural process Heritage Inventory classifies
By Evan Feinauer, Staff Attorney
Clean Wisconsin 634 W. Main St., #300 Madison, WI 53703-2500
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This Spring Clean Wisconsin secured a significant legal victory for Wisconsin’s wetlands. On May 4, an Administrative Law Judge ruled that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) failed to follow the law when it issued a wetland fill permit to Meteor Timber LLC (Meteor Timber), an out-of-state company seeking to construct a frac sand processing facility in northern Monroe County. Meteor Timber’s proposed development was to construct a facility to dry and process sand trucked in from a sand mine in Jackson County. The sand would then be shipped to other parts of the country, where it would be used for hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” to extract oil and gas. Meteor Timber sought to fill approximately 16.25 acres of wetlands, over 13 acres of which are a White PineRed Maple forested wetland community.
Wisconsin’s legal victory to protect a rare wetland in Monroe County upholds the integrity of our wetland laws, protecting other White Pine-Red Maple wetlands Clean rare wetlands across the state from a bad legal precedent. (File photo) as “imperiled,” because the pressure from human development poses a victory serves as a reminder to DNR that significant threat to the few remaining occurrences the department cannot cut corners to issue of this type of wetlands. Further, DNR staff permits to influential companies, and it determined that this particular White Pine-Red upholds the integrity of our wetland laws, Maple forested wetland has “exceptional” value, protecting other rare wetlands across the because it supports rare animal and plant species and state from a harmful legal precedent. If the is remarkably pristine. Wetlands also improve water wetlands that an applicant wants to fill are quality by filtering out contaminants, and reduce the low-quality or common, mitigation may be frequency and severity of flood events by acting as a attainable, although it is rarely easy. Here, however, successful mitigation sponge to soak up excess water. would require Meteor Timber to Last year, Clean Wisconsin and its co-petitioner, The Ho-Chunk Nation, represented by Midwest replace the value of a complex, rare, Environmental Advocates, challenged DNR’s and exceptionally-valuable White Pinedecision to issue a wetland fill permit for this project. Red Maple forested wetland. Wetland A week-long evidentiary hearing was held at the end mitigation this ambitious and difficult has never even been attempted—much of February, in Tomah, Wisconsin. On May 4, the Judge announced his ruling that less successfully completed—in Wisconsin DNR did not comply with the law when it issued this before. During the week-long hearing, our expert wetland permit, and therefore the permit is invalid. witnesses demonstrated that Meteor Timber’s mitigation plan contained A flawed plan Under state law, anyone seeking to fill wetlands significant errors and omissions. One must apply for a wetland permit from DNR. This of our expert witnesses testified that
due to these problems the proposed
It's Our Air
As the weather warms, stay informed & alerted about the health risks from ozone pollution By Katie Nekola, General Counsel
Also in this issue
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Now that summer is here, you are likely to hear about “Ozone Alerts” or Air Quality Notices from the Department of Natural Resources, warning the public when levels of ozone and particle pollution reach unhealthy levels. This typically occurs on hot summer days, and you may be advised to avoid outdoor activity. We’re familiar with ozone days, but we often do not think about what we’re breathing and how it affects the health and wellbeing of our kids, our families, our communities. The harmful impact of ozone pollution on public health is worth brushing up on, especially as the weather warms and the risks for health problems increase. What is Ozone? There are two types of ozone: stratospheric ozone, which occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere, where it forms a protective layer that shields us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This is often called “good ozone.” In this article, we focus on “bad ozone” or ground-level ozone, often called smog, which is formed when air pollutants combine with sunlight to create a powerful oxidant that can irritate the airways. Ozone in the air can make breathing difficult and harm our lungs, especially on hot, sunny days when ozone can reach unhealthy levels. Even relatively low levels of ozone can cause health problems. The good news is that the more you know continued on Page 5
Algae Blooms | Where Should We Get Our Electricity? | Microbeads in our Microbrews?
&Arrivals
Departures
In April, we said a fond farewell to Tyson Cook, our Senior Director of Energy, Air, & Science. In his 7 years with the organization, Tyson’s leadership and hard work with local leaders, utilities, and the public positioned Clean Wisconsin as a leading voice in advocating for clean energy and breathable air. While we’ll miss Tyson, we know Tyson will continue his good work to bring more clean energy to Wisconsin. Farewell, Tyson, and thank you! To replace Tyson, Scott Blankman started in July as the Energy & Air Program Director. Scott comes to us from Alliant Energy, where he served as the Director of Strategic Planning . His 25 years of diverse financial, business and strategic experience along with his direct knowledge of utility operations will be an asset to Clean Wisconsin’s efforts to promote clean energy...Welcome Scott! Earlier this summer, we said goodbye to two outstanding interns, Galen Wang and Emily Hesse. GaHannah Fisher, Lorena Cortes, Rebecca Strigenz, Hannah Richerson, Hannah Zwiefel, Madison Mears, Sophia Rogers, len, a legal intern, and Aaron Vruwink. Not pictured: Mary Van Dyke and Sarah Shepro. (Jon Drewsen/Clean Wisconsin) Emily, who worked with the Development team, started in the summer of 2017 and provided exceptional support for Clean Wisconsin’s staff. Many things would not have gotten accomplished without the outstanding work from Galen and Emily. They are both off to new adventures, and we wish them the best. Thank you, Galen and Emily! In June, we welcomed a number of new interns to the summer staff. Our Legal Interns are Sophia Rogers, Madison Mears, Hannah Richerson, and Aaron Vruwink. Our Science and Policy Fellow is Hannah Fisher and our Science & Research Intern is Rebecca Strigenz. Our Environmental Fellow is Lorena Cortes. Our Development interns are Hannah Zweifel and Sarah Shepro. Mary Van Dyke, who has been our Communications Intern since the fall, is joining us for the summer as well. Welcome!
634 W. Main St., #300 • Madison WI 53703 Phone: (608) 251-7020 www.cleanwisconsin.org
Clean Wisconsin protects and preserves Wisconsin’s clean water, air, and natural heritage. On behalf of our more than 30,000 members, supporters, and coalition partners, we have been your leading voice for Wisconsin’s environment since 1970.
STAFF President & CEO Mark Redsten Vice President of Programs & Government Relations Amber Meyer Smith Grants and Foundations Manager Alexandria Baker Membership and Outreach Manager Sarah Bewitz Director of Energy & Air Scott Blankman Chief Financial Officer Nick Curran, CPA Communications Manager Jon Drewsen Staff Attorney Evan Feinauer Development Manager Ryan Kelly Water Program Director Scott Laeser Staff Scientist Paul Mathewson Water Resources Specialist Ezra Meyer General Counsel Katie Nekola Staff Attorney & Milwaukee Program Director Pam Ritger Green Infrastructure Program Associate Ethan Taxman Of Counsel Susan Hedman
BOARD
our Action Network at cleanwisconsin.org/act Stay informed •• Join Watch legislative floor sessions, committee hearings and on what’s interviews at wiseye.org happening in • Sign up to receive notifications about action on bills you our state care about at http://notify.legis.state.wi.us more about your legislators using the interactive government • Learn map at http://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/ The Defender is owned and published quarterly by Clean Wisconsin 634 W. Main St., #300, Madison, WI 53703 608-251-7020, info@cleanwisconsin.org A one-year subscription membership is $40. Please direct correspondence to the address above. Volume 48, No. 3 Issue date: July 2018 ©2018 Clean Wisconsin. All rights reserved. ISSN # 1549-8107
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Printed with soy ink on unbleached, recycled paper.
Chair Liz Feder, Madison Vice Chair Karen Knetter, Madison Secretary Arun Soni, Chicago Treasurer Gof Thomson, New Glarus Past Chair Carl Sinderbrand, Middleton Belle Bergner, Milwaukee Shari Eggleson, Washburn Kathleen Falk, Madison Gary Goyke, Madison Andrew Hoyos, McFarland Katie Jones, Wisconsin Dells Erik Lincoln, Lodi Mark McGuire, Minneapolis Josh Neudorfer, Shorewood Glenn Reinl, Madison Michael Weiss, Milwaukee Board Emeritus Kate Gordon, San Francisco Board Emeritus Chuck McGinnis, Middleton
Summer 2018
Why noxious, toxic algae blooms don't have to be the summertime norm With high levels of phosphorus entering our lakes, algae blooms are a common sight—and smell—during the summer months. But it does not have to be the norm. (Dick Lamers photo)
By Scott Laeser, Water Program Director
Summer is here, and with it a familiar sight in Wisconsin lakes: algae. Madison has already had multiple nasty bluegreen algae blooms that have resulted in numerous beac closings. As this annual summer rite comes to pass, it’s important to remember these algae blooms do not have to be the norm. Algae blooms in Wisconsin are the result of a potent cocktail: phosphorus, from agricultural fertilizers and manure, wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, and even your lawn, gets swept up into the lakes after a rain storm and algae subsequently explode in abundance. A spell of warm weather following a big storm can cause blooms to worsen. Algae are loving the hot weather and abundant precipitation we’ve had so far this summer. For us on the shore, decomposing algae is smelly and noxious. Some algae can also cause serious illness and even be deadly to people or pets that come in contact with it. This problem is statewide. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 47 percent of the waterbodies on the state’s impaired waters list fail phosphorus pollution limits. With Wisconsin becoming warmer and wetter as the climate changes, the conditions that toxic algae species love are increasing. Correspondingly, so will the risk of more dangerous algae blooms. To tackle this public health and environmental problem, we need to get rid of the “legacy phosphorus” in our rivers, lakes, and streams and prevent more phosphorus from being added to them. Since 2010, Wisconsin’s innovative phosphorus rules have been a critical component of phosphorus pollution reduction efforts statewide. The rules give pollution sources—from farmers to wastewater treatment plants—choice and flexibility about how to most effectively and efficiently reduce phosphorus pollution. By reducing phosphorus, we can help keep our communities healthy, our beaches clean, and our tourism economy running. When we think of summer, we should think of clear blue water, not beach closings and lakes and rivers covered in slime. We have the tools in place to fix the problem, and we need our state and local elected officials to commit to making sure that Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers, and streams are better off for our kids, and for their kids. Know where your elected officials stand on preventing phosphorus pollution and algae blooms from choking our beaches and threatening public health. Don’t accept beach closings, noxious scum, and toxic blue green water as the new normal.
from the President & CEO Summer in Wisconsin is hard to beat! Each year, I join friends and family on a canoe trip down the Lower Wisconsin River; I dive off the cliffs of Madeline Island into cool, clear Lake Superior; and around Madison, I run along the shores of our lakes, go to concerts at the Memorial Union terrace, and go boating and kayaking regularly on the Mark Redsten water. President & CEO This summer, however, the water quality of Madison’s lakes put a damper on some of the summer fun. For decades, too much pollution from farm fields and city streets has made its way into the Yahara lakes, with severe consequences—beach closures and lakes and tributaries covered with smelly, dangerous, and toxic blue green algae. With climate change, huge rain events are happening more frequently, making the situation worse. Clearly, our behavior and our lack of concern over the past few generations are hurting us today. Sadly, this problem on Madison’s lakes is not unique to Dane County; rather, poor water quality is commonplace throughout Wisconsin. Our water doesn’t have to be filthy and polluted. We don’t have to go the way of Dr. Seuss’s famous Lorax if we take proactive steps now. Unfortunately, because of the actions in the Capitol, protections that keep our water clean, our air breathable and our communities healthy are hanging by a thread. Just in the last year, we have seen a wholesale attack on the laws that keep our environment sustained for the next generation, from repealing common-sense laws that protect our waters from mining pollution, to weakening air pollution standards, and eliminating statewide protections for critical wetlands. Thankfully, that’s not the end of the story. You’ll read in this issue the many ways Clean Wisconsin is working to rewrite the script and defend your water, air, and land. In this edition, you can read about our work to protect your air quality; our work defending places, like wetlands; our work to make our lakes, rivers, and drinking water clean and safe; and our work to promote clean, safe energy. We’re making a big difference, but these wins do not come easily, or without significant resources. This critical work takes years. Funding expert witnesses and staff over many years is expensive. That’s why we rely on people like you to support our work to protect your water, air, and Wisconsin’s special places. So please pass on the word about Clean Wisconsin, or this Defender newsletter, to those you know who care about Wisconsin’s environment and want to help make it better. If you can, please join us in Madison for Epicurean Evening on October 4th—it’s a fun way to support our work and meet our team. Of course, as always, thank you for all you have done so far to make Clean Wisconsin the state’s leading voice for environmental protection for nearly 50 years. Sincerely,
Clean Wisconsin is a proud member of www.cleanwisconsin.org
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New drinking water protections for northeast Wisconsin go into effect By Scott Laeser, Water Program Director
On July 1st, new rules prohibiting manure spreading on shallow soils and near private wells went into effect for northeast Wisconsin, offering residents some hope for reductions in groundwater contamination in a part of the state plagued by it. These new protections are the result of tireless effort on the part of residents in northeast Wisconsin imploring the state to address drinking water contamination. The process to develop these rules was spurred in part by the Safe Drinking Water Act Petition Clean Wisconsin, Midwest Environmental Advocates, and local citizens filed with the Environmental Protection Agency in 2014. Many residents in places like Kewaunee County have struggled for years with contaminated drinking water due to livestock pollution, and these new protections are a sign of hope for a future with clean drinking water. The rules were the result of a lengthy, deliberative process involving state officials and a wide variety of stakeholder groups. Ultimately, many environmental and agricultural groups, along with local citizens and county officials, supported the new rules, and they were adopted unanimously by the Natural Resources Board in January. All area of eastern and northeast Wisconsin with a specific type of subsurface geology, Silurian Dolomite, and less than 20 feet of soil above the bedrock will be covered. Farmers will
New manure spreading rules direct farmers on where, when, and how they can spread manures on fields with shallow soils. The rules went into effect on July 1. (File photo)
no longer be allowed to spread manure within 250 feet of private wells in these areas, and all manure spreading will be prohibited on areas with soils less than two feet deep. There are also restrictions on the amount of manure that can go on in one application on shallow soils and requirements for certain actions, like incorporating the manure, to help prevent groundwater contamination. While these new manure spreading rules are a welcome step forward, they are just the beginning. Now the real work begins to put these new protections into practice, and local and state officials must work with farmers to do so quickly. Clean Wisconsin will continue to work with DNR and county conservation officials to make sure the financial and technical resources nec-
essary for successful implementation of the rules are available. The new rules are an important step forward for the people of northeast Wisconsin, but the state cannot forget about the many others around Wisconsin who rely on drinking water that is vulnerable to livestock pollution, for whom these new rules offer no relief. The state must address mounting evidence of drinking water contamination in other areas, like southwest Wisconsin, where Clean Wisconsin is working with local partners to initiate a study of the region’s groundwater contamination and vulnerability. Clean Wisconsin is committed to standing up for northeast Wisconsin and other areas of the state to ensure the promise of clean water is fulfilled for all Wisconsinites.
Where Should Our Electricity Come From?
Even though we enjoy and expect to be able to use unlimited amounts of electricity here in Wisconsin, unfortunately those kilowatts don’t just grow like the weeds in your garden in July. They must be generated, and the machinery to by the average Cheesehead. That difference By Katie Nekola make and distribute the electricity must General Counsel is directly attributable to those states’ much be located somewhere. more aggressive energy conservation and efAmericans use a lot of electricity. AcUnderstandably, many people don’t ficiency goals and programs. cording to the U.S. Energy Informawant to look at metal poles, tion Administration, an average smokestacks, wires, and blades. U.S. citizen uses at least twice as Unfortunately, using current much electricity per year as does technology, we have not yet dethe average German, French, or vised a way to make all this inBritish person. frastructure invisible. It’s not that Europeans don’t If fossil power plants are built have air conditioners, televiin urban areas, as many are, then sions, and computers. The difmany more people are forced to ference is that they waste less breathe in the pollutants they energy. Even some states in the emit. These air pollutants cause U.S. consume significantly less or contribute to respiratory and electricity than does Wisconsin; other illnesses. Often, these urfor example, California resiban areas are also home to other dents’ average electricity use is industries that pollute the air, about half what Wisconsin resicompounding health problems dents use per person, per year. for those residents. Folks in New York State and What’s the alternative? People Alaska use only a little more Whether our energy is clean or dirty, infrastructure is necessary to make and move electricity to people’s homes. (Credit: Fre Sonneveld, Unsplash) who live in rural areas don’t than half the amount consumed want to breathe polluted air ei-
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Summer 2018
Wetland Victory continued from cover
mitigation had essentially zero chance of success. Based on hours of live testimony and other evidence, the Judge ruled that DNR lacked the information it needed to issue the permit and Meteor Timber’s mitigation plan was simply inadequate. His ruling invalidates the permit, meaning these rare and pristine wetlands are currently safe from development. Additionally, it is critical that the public have confidence that environmental protections are being observed and applied equally to all applicants. This victory serves as a reminder to DNR that the department cannot cut corners to issue permits to influential companies, and it upholds the integrity of our wetland laws, protecting other rare wetlands across the state from a bad legal precedent. Not over yet While this is a significant victory, the fight to protect these rare and valuable
Air Quality Index
continued from cover
What causes ozone pollution? Ozone is created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when sunlight is present. NOx and VOCs are emitted directly into the air by industrial facilities,
(File photo)
time and effort, but Clean Wisconsin is committed to doing what is necessary to preser ve this rare and important natural landscape and ensure that the laws that protect wetlands and
wetlands is not over. In May, relying on a seldom invoked DNR rule, Meteor Timber asked DNR Secretary Dan Meyer to toss out the Judge’s ruling. Secretary Meyer promptly a p p o i n te d a DNR attorney to review the Judge’s ruling and potentially reverse it. On June 25th, Clean Wisconsin filed a law suit in Dane County Circuit Court challenging DNR’s legal authority to overturn the ruling of an independent In addition to protecting this rare wetland in Monroe County, this legal victory upholds the integrity of our wetland laws, protecting other rare wetlands across j u d g e a n d the state from a bad legal precedent. (File photo) replace it with its own decision. We believe own permit will be set aside. other natural resources are A final resolution of this respected. that DNR does not have this authority and, moreover, the dispute will take additional
Ozone
about ground level ozone, the better you can protect yourself and your family from its harmful effects.
proper venue for any appeal of the Judge’s ruling is state court, where a Circuit Court Judge can review the evidence and provide an impartial decision. If our challenge is successful, DNR’s review of its
power plants, motor vehicle exhaust, and other chemical emissions. Gasoline vapor can add to the problem, which is why it’s often advised to avoid mowing your lawn on air quality alert days. The one-two punch of these mixing chemicals and warm weather can lead to dangerously high levels of ozone pollution, especially for young children and the elderly.
What health problems can ozone cause? Ozone causes constriction of the muscles in the airways, trapping air and causing wheezing and shortness of breath. This makes it difficult to breathe deeply, and sometimes painful breathing. Ozone pollution causes or aggravates some of the same respiratory conditions as smoking tobacco. Breathing ozone can make the lungs more susceptible to infection, and worsen diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. It can cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and increase the frequency of asthma attacks. Even when lung disease is not present, ozone can inflame and damage the airways, causing coughing and a sore, scratchy throat. Who is at risk? Children, whose lungs are still
developing, are at greatest risk from breathing ozone. Children are also more likely to be active outdoors when ozone levels are high, which increases their exposure. Children are more likely than adults to have asthma. Others at risk include people with asthma, older adults, and people who are active outdoors. What can I do to reduce these health risks? Learn about your local air quality, and take the appropriate precautions on high ozone days. You can stay up-to-date by clicking on the AirNow website, which provides daily air quality reports. These reports use the Air Quality Index (or AQI) to tell you how clean or polluted the air is. You can also sign up for EnviroFlash, a free service, which will alert you via email when your local air quality is a concern. Sign up at www.enviroflash.info.
www.cleanwisconsin.org 5
National Parks Service photographer Jarob Ortiz speaks at our Environmental Speakers Program in Madison.
Spring was welcome after an unusually long winter. Clean Wisconsin hosted two events—one old and one new— to remember our successes as we look towards the future of Wisconsin’s environment. On April 19, we hosted our first-ever pop-up event in downtown Milwaukee called Earth Day Birthday. Clean Wisconsin was founded on the first Earth Day, so we celebrated our 48th year as your environmental voice, with a particular emphasis on our innovative and vital efforts to protect Milwaukee communities. Cole Ersel of Engine Company 3; Dane Baldwin of The Diplomat; Caitlin Cullen of Tandem; and Adam Siegel of Bartolotta’s provided the evening’s local fare, birthday cake was served by Batches, and Top Note Tonic, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Twisted Path Distillery, and Octopi Brewing served up their specialty craft beverages. On May 17, we invited National Parks Photographer Jarob Ortiz to speak the Majestic Theatre in Madison as part of our Doug La Follette Environmental Speakers Program. Jarob, a Milwaukee-native, discussed the art of documenting America’s special places and shared the story of how he was selected out of a pool of over 4,000 applicants for this iconic position. In October, we will once again be hosting our Epicurean Evening gala at the Monona Terrace in Madison—now in its fifth year! Tickets are on sale now!
Making final preparations.
Mark Redsten (far right) mingles with Ezra Meyer (far left), Sydney Shimko, and Hans Meyer.
Emily Hesse (left) and Ali Baker greet guests at Earth Day Birthday.
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A packed venue for Earth Day Birthday in Milwaukee.
Summer 2018
Clean WisconsinĘźs Evan Feinauer (far right) and guests enjoy the charcuterie spread provided by Chef Cole Ersel (far left).
Doug La Follette greets attendees at the Environmental Speakers Program in May.
Thanks to The Box in Milwaukee for serving as the venue for our Earth Day Birthday celebration.
Clean WisconsinĘźs Jon Drewsen (far left), Amber Meyer Smith, Mark Redsten, Scott Laeser, and Ryan Kelly.
Guest mingle and enjoy great food at Earth Day Birthday.
Plastics have invaded our water (and our beer) Under the Lens By Paul Mathewson, Staff Scientist
As foretold in "The Graduate," plastics have become a ubiquitous part of life. Annual global production is over 300 million tons per year, and its accumulation in the environment is well-documented. Researchers have started looking into its presence in human consumables to help better understand how incidental ingestion could be affecting human health. Two recent studies have counted the number of plastic particles in tap water, bottled water, and beer made with municipal water drawn from the Great Lakes. Across 11 brands sampled, bottled water had an average of 10.4 larger (more than 100 microns wide, about the width of human hair) plastic particles per liter. When smaller particles— which are likely plastics but could not be conclusively identified—are included, bottled water had 325 particles per liter. One bottle had more than 10,000 particles per liter. Tap water from had fewer particles than bottled water, averaging 5.5 particles bigger than 100 microns per liter. Tap water from the United States had the highest average of any country included in the study, with 9.2 particles per liter. However, a sample from Milwaukee included in the study had only 3 particles per liter. Beer from the Great Lakes-area breweries had even lower levels of plastics, averaging 4 particles per liter. As with tap water, the beer made in 8
Milwaukee that was included in the study had fewer-than-average plastics, at 1.3 particles per liter. R e s e a r c h e r s h a v e a l s o fo u n d microplastics in fish, shellfish, honey, sugar, and salts intended for human consumption. While these studies add to the evidence of plastic’s ubiquity in our lives, it is still unknown what this means for our health.
(Photo: Patrick Fore, Unsplash)
What is known about plastics suggests that research into this topic is warranted. Metals and chemicals like PCBs and PAHs are known to bind to plastics, and these contaminants have been found to be released from the plastics in the guts of animals. Plastics can also leach toxic additives like phthalates and BPA. Recently, microplastics have been found to be toxic to human cells. However, much more research is
needed to understand what typical exposure levels are and what a safe level of exposure is. The fate of these plastics, once they are ingested, is not known and depends on the size and shape of the particles. Larger particles may simply just pass through, while smaller ones could be transported throughout the body. In response to the drinking water studies, the World Health Organization announced that it will review the risks from plastics in drinking water. While the research community works to better understand the potential health impacts of this pollution, it is important that we work to address the root problem of how these plastics get into the environment in the first place. According to the EPA, less than 10% of plastics are recycled in the United States. Various countries, states, cities, and individual businesses have taken action to reduce single-use plastic pollution (e.g., plastic bags, straws, and utensils). In Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin was a leader in pushing for a ban on microplastics in cosmetics, like soaps and toothpaste, which was enacted in 2015. More recently, plastic straws will not be available at the new Milwaukee Bucks arena. And soon you won’t be able to find any single-use plastics at the new Ikea in Oak Creek, as the company has announced the phase-out by 2020.
Summer 2018
Electricity continued from page 4
ther. How about getting rid of fossil fuels and building clean energy projects, like solar and wind? Great ideas, we think, but then we find that some rural residents don’t want solar or wind projects near where they live either. To further complicate things, some people oppose transmission lines that transport power from the power plants that are located in other peoples’ neighborhoods, to areas that use the power. We need to make choices if we want the luxury of unlimited, always-available electricity. Clean Wisconsin believes that clean energy, responsibly built with care for our natural resources, can supply the reasonable needs of Wisconsin residents for electric power. We know that we must end our dependence on fossil fuels
www.cleanwisconsin.org
Clean energy, responsibly built with care for our natural resources, can supply the reasonable needs of Wisconsin residents for electric power. (File photo)
that only accelerate global climate change and create unhealthy smog. Most of all, we know that
reducing energy waste and inefficiency can eliminate the need for so many of those inconveniently vis-
ible smokestacks, poles, turbines, and other energy infrastructure.
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Summer 2018