News Releases

News Release | Wisconsin Environment

Obama Administration to Protect Americans’ Health by Setting Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants

Madison, WI —The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed historic new limits on carbon pollution from new power plants. Carbon pollution fuels global warming, which leads to poor air quality that triggers asthma attacks and other respiratory problems.

News Release | Wisconsin Environment

New Data Shows Wisconsin Power Plants Emit 19th Most Mercury Pollution Nationally

Madison, WI– Wisconsin's power plants emit more mercury pollution than power plants in over 30 other states, according to brand new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data outlined in Wisconsin Environment latest report, Wisconsin's Biggest Mercury Polluters. The report found that in total, power plants in Wisconsin emitted 1329 pounds of mercury pollution in 2010. Wisconsin Environment’s report comes as EPA is set to finalize a standard to limit mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants next month.

News Release | Wisconsin Environment

New Report: 3 Cities in Wisconsin Rank in the Top Ten Smoggiest Small Metropolitan Areas in the Country

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Today Wisconsin Environment released a new report showing that 3 metropolitan areas in Wisconsin – Kenosha, Sheboygan and Racine – are among the top ten smoggiest small metropolitan areas in the country. Smog is a harmful air pollutant that leads to asthma attacks and exacerbates respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. The new report, Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011, also found that there were 11 days in 2010 in Wisconsin when at least part of the state experienced smog levels exceeding the national health standard. Also, this summer, residents in the Milwaukee area were alerted to unhealthy air on 4 days.

News Release | Wisconsin Environment

A Healthy Environment is Key to a Healthy Economy

Washington, DC – President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress yesterday on the subject of job creation. While focused mostly on a job-creating agenda, the President reiterated his support for environmental and health protections including “rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury” and challenged the country to be in a “race to the top” when it comes to pollution standards. The President also questioned the need for subsidies to Big Oil and announced infrastructure and school investments that could lead to cleaner transportation options and energy efficiency improvements.

News Release | Wisconsin Environment

Wisconsin's Beach Closings Increase, Wisconsin Environment Calls for Better Protections

MILWAUKEE – As Wisconsinites flock to the beach, pollution from stormwater runoff and sewage overflows continue to plague Wisconsin’s beaches. Wisconsin Environment reported that beach closings and advisories due to pollution went up last year in Wisconsin totaling 735 days of closed beaches, according to Natural Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) 21st annual beachwater quality report released today.

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