State of Change

Where to Listen: It's not easy to locate and document Wisconsin's endangered species, but luckily Ernie and Betty White are on the case! They are two of Wisconsin's specially-trained conservation dogs, and they could be the secret to finding some of our state's most threated species. Host:  Amy Barrilleaux Guests:  Laura Holder, Owner, Conservation Dogs Collective Betty White, Ernie, and Boxie Resources for You:  Conservation Dogs Collective Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why. Episode 11: Wisconsin's Vanishing Bee

Many farmers are choosing to integrate solar panels into their fields. Now a new analysis shows that decision can impact a lot more than energy costs and the climate. Putting solar panels on conventional farmland can actually change the environment where those panels are located--for the better. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dr. Paul Mathewson, Clean WIsconsin Resouces for You: Integrating solar into conventional farmland can restore soil health, provide habitat for native pollinators and improve water quality by reducing sediment and fertilizer runoff into nearby waterways. According to Clean Wisconsin's Solar Farm Impact Analysis: Solar farms that replace conventional row crops like corn and soybeans reduce sediment and phosphorus pollution runoff into nearby lakes, rivers and streams by 75-95%. When deep-rooted, perennial vegetation is planted among the panels, solar farms can increase soil carbon sequestration by 65%, and improve overall soil health. Planting perennial vegetation among the panels also improves wildlife habitat compared to existing cropland, including a 300% improvement in habitat quality for pollinators, which are in steep decline. Solar farms produce 100 times more net energy per acre than corn grown for ethanol and are a far more efficient use of land. To meet net-zero carbon emissions, Wisconsin only needs about 200,000 acres of land for solar, or about 15% of the 1.5 million acres of land currently devoted to ethanol production in our state. More to Explore: Analysis: Solar farms produce 100 times more energy than corn grown for ethanol

No Mow May is here, but is it the best way to protect pollinators in our yards? Amy walks through a typical Wisconsin yard with pollinator expert Elizabeth Braatz to learn if No Mow May really works. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Resources for You:  Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison 

if you look around at houses, schools, churches--you're probably seeing more and more solar panels on their rooftops. A lot of that is thanks to federal incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act that make solar more affordable. But those programs are now at risk of being cut, and tariffs could be pushing the low solar costs we've been seeing much higher. Fortunately, solar has a pretty determined advocate who's spreading the word about how solar works for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elise Couillard, Couillard Solar Foundation Resources for You: Couillard Solar Foundation Federal Funds for Wisconsin  

Clean Wisconsin has been keeping track of the many attacks on bedrock environmental safeguards being carried out by the Trump Administration. Dozens of rules and regulations that protect our air, water, land, endangered species and more are being targeted. With so much happening in such a short time, how do you know what's important, what's just a lot of bluster, and what's even legal?  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Brett Korte, Clean Wisconsin attorney Resources for You: Running list of attacks on environmental safeguards 1/20 Freeze All In-Progress Standards  EO - Freezes in-progress climate, clean air, clean water (including proposed limits on PFAS in industrial wastewater) and consumer protections. 1/20 Energy Emergency Declaration EO - Authorizes federal government to expedite permitting and approval of fossil fuel, infrastructure, and mining projects and circumvent Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act requirements. 1/20 Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement EO - Reverses the US' international commitment to tackling climate change and reducing pollution. 1/20 Revokes Biden Climate Crisis and Environmental Justice Executive Actions EO -  Reverses U.S. commitment to fight climate change and its impacts, and protect overburdened communities. 1/20 Attacks on Clean Car Standards EO -  to stop clean car standards that required automakers to reduce tailpipe pollution from vehicles beginning in 2027. 1/20 Resumes LNG Permitting EO - Expedites Liquid Natural Gas export terminal approval over analysis finding exports raise energy costs for consumers. Attacks Climate and Clean Energy Investments from IRA and BIL EO - Freezes unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and directs agencies to reassess. 1/20 Attacks NEPA Protections EO - Rescinds order requiring White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to assess environmental and community impacts and allow community input into federal infrastructure projects. 1/21 Expands Offshore Oil Drilling EO - Reopens U.S. coastlines to offshore drilling. 1/21 Terminate American Climate Corps EO - Ends all programs of the American Climate Corps, which created thousands of jobs combatting climate change and protecting and restoring public lands. 1/21 Freezes New Wind Energy Leases EO - Withdraws wind energy leasing from U.S. waters and federal lands. 1/21 Open Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other Alaska Lands for Drilling EO - Reopens sensitive federal lands and waters in Alaska to drilling. 1/28 EPA's Science Advisory Panel Members Fired Memorandum - Acting EPA administrator James Payne dismisses members of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and Science Advisory Board, which provides independent expertise to the agency on air quality standards and sources of air pollution. 1/28 EPA Suspends Solar For All Grants Memorandum - The EPA halted $7 billion in contractually obligated grants for Solar For All, an Inflation Reduction Act program that delivers clean energy and lower prices to vulnerable communities 1/31 Trump administration scrubs "climate change" from federal websites Memorandum - Mentions of climate change have been removed from federal websites such the Department of Agriculture, which includes the Forest Service and climate-smart agriculture programs, and the EPA. 2/3 Trump requires removal 10 existing rules for every new rule EO - The order requires that when an agency finalizes a new regulation or guidance they identify 10 existing rules to be cut. 2/3 Interior secretary weakens public lands protections in favor of fossil fuel development Sec Order - After Trump's "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, Interior Secretary Burgum ordered the reinstatement of fossil fuel leases, opened more land for drilling, and issued orders weakening protections of public lands, national monuments and endangered species, and overturned advanced clean energy and climate mitigation strategies. 2/5 Energy secretary announces review of appliance efficiency standards Sec Order - Energy Secretary Wright ordered a review of appliance standards following Trump's Day One order attacking rules improving the efficiency of household appliances such as toilets, showerheads, and lightbulbs as part of a secretarial order intended to increase the extraction and use of fossil fuels. 2/5 Army Corps of Engineers halts approval of renewables Guidance via DOD - The Army Corps of Engineers singled out 168 projects – those that focused on renewable energy projects – out of about 11,000 pending permits for projects on private land. Though the hold was lifted, it was not immediately clear if permitting had resumed. 2/6 Transportation Department orders freeze of EV charging infrastructure program Memorandum - A Transportation Department memo ordered the suspension of $5 billion in federal funding, authorized by Congress under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, for states to build electric vehicle chargers. 2/11 SEC starts process to kill climate disclosure rule Memorandum - The acting chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission paused the government's legal defense of a rule requiring companies to identify the impact of their business on climate in regulatory findings. The rule was challenged in court by 19 Republican state attorneys general and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright's Liberty Energy, among others. 2/14 EPA fires hundreds of staff Memorandum - The Trump administration's relentless assault on science and career expertise at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continued today with the firing of almost 400 staff who had ‘probationary' status. 2/14 DOE issues the first LNG export authorization under new Trump administration DOE Secretary Wright issued an export authorization for the Commonwealth LNG project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, despite a 2024 DOE report finding that unfettered LNG exports increase energy bills and climate pollution. 2/18 Trump issues order stripping independent agencies of independence EO - Trump signed an executive order stripping independent regulatory agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of their independence, moving them to submit proposed rules and final regulations for review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and granting the attorney general exclusive authority over legal interpretations of rules. The order is likely to be challenged as Congress created these agencies specifically to be insulated from White House interference. 2/19 Zeldin recommends striking endangerment finding Memorandum - After Trump's "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has told the White House he would recommend rescinding the bedrock justification defining six climate pollutants – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride – as air pollution to be regulated by the Clean Air Act. 2/19 Trump administration moves to rescind all CEQ regulatory authority Rulemaking - The Trump administration has moved to rescind the Council on Environmental Quality's role in crafting and implementing environmental regulations, revoking all CEQ orders since 1977 that shape how federal agencies comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which requires the government to consider and disclose environmental impacts of its actions. 2/19 Trump directs agencies to make deregulation recommendations to DOGE EO - Trump issues executive order directing agencies to work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to make recommendations that will accelerate Trump's efforts to dismantle regulations across the federal government as part of his 10 out, 1 in policy. Among the protections likely to be in DOGE's crosshairs are those that keep polluters from ignoring environmental laws and protect clean air and water. 2/19 FEMA staff advised to scrub "changing climate" and other climate terms from documents Memorandum - A Federal Emergency Management Agency memo listed 10 climate-related words and phrases, including "changing climate," “climate resilience,” and “net zero," to be removed from FEMA documents. The memo comes after USDA workers were ordered to scrub mentions of climate change from websites. 2/21 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Director Placed on Administrative Leave Guidance - According to media reports, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin has put the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) director on administrative leave. The GGRF is a $27 billion federal financing program that addresses the climate crisis and is injecting billions of dollars in local economic development projects to lower energy prices and reduce pollution especially in the rural, urban, and Indigenous communities most impacted by climate change and frequently left behind by mainstream finance. 2/27 Hundreds fired as layoffs begin at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Guidance - On Thursday, February 27, about 800 employees at NOAA, the agency responsible for the nation's bedrock weather, climate, fisheries, and marine research, were fired in the latest round of Trump administration-led layoffs. The layoffs could jeopardize NOAA's ability to provide life-saving severe weather forecasts, long-term climate monitoring, deep-sea research and fisheries management, and other essential research and policy. 3/10 Energy secretary says climate change a worthwhile tradeoff for growth Announcement - Speaking at the CERAWeek conference, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration sees climate change as “a side effect of building the modern world,” and pledged to “end the Biden administration's irrational, quasi-religious policies on climate change." 3/10 Zeldin, Musk Cut $1.7B in Environmental Justice Grants Guidance - EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the cancellation of 400 environmental justice-related grants, in violation of a court order barring the Trump administration from freezing "equity-based" grants and contracts. 3/11 EPA eliminates environmental justice offices, staff Memorandum - EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin ordered the closure of environmental justice offices at the agency's headquarters and at all 10 regional offices and eliminate all related staff positions "immediately." The reversal comes just days after the EPA reinstated environmental justice and civil rights employees put on leave in early February. 3/12 EPA Announcement to Revise "Waters of the United States" Rule Announcement - The EPA will redefine waters of the US, or WOTUS, to comply with the US Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in Sackett v. EPA, which lifted Clean Water Act jurisdiction on many wetlands, Administrator Lee Zeldin said 3/14 Zeldin releases 31-rollback ‘hit list' Memorandum (announced, not in effect as of 4/10) - EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to dismantle federal air quality and carbon pollution regulations, identifying 31 actions ranging from from soot standards and power plant pollution rules to the endangerment finding – the scientific and legal underpinning of the Clean Air Act. 3/14 EPA halts enforcement of pollution rules at energy facilities Memorandum - According to a leaked memo, the EPA's compliance office has halted enforcement of pollution regulations on energy facilities and barred consideration of environmental justice concerns. The memo states: "Enforcement and compliance assurance actions shall not shut down any stage of energy production (from exploration to distribution) or power generation absent an imminent and substantial threat to human health or an express statutory or regulatory requirement to the contrary.” 3/14 Trump revokes order encouraging renewables EO - Trump signed an executive order rescinding a Biden-era proclamation encouraging the development of renewable energy. Biden's order under the Defense Production Act permitted the Department of Energy to direct funds to scale up domestic production of solar and other renewable technologies. 3/17 EPA plans to eliminate science staff Memorandum - Leaked documents describe plans to lay off as many as 1,155 scientists from labs across the country. These chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists are among the experts who monitor air and water quality, cleanup of toxic waste, and more. 3/16 EPA invites waivers on mercury pollution and other hazardous pollutants Memorandum - The EPA invited coal- and oil-fired power plants to apply for exemptions to limits on mercury and other toxic pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Mercury is an extremely dangerous pollutant that causes brain damage to babies and fetuses; in addition to mercury, pollution from power plants includes hazardous chemicals that can lead to cancer, or damage to the lungs, kidneys, nervous system and cardiovascular system. 4/3 Trump administration adds "deregulation suggestion" website A new page on regulations.gov allows members of the public to submit "deregulation" ideas. The move is the latest in the Trump administration's efforts to slash public health, safety, and climate safeguards, and comes soon after the administration offered companies the opportunity to send the EPA an email if they wished to be exempted from Clean Air Act protections. 4/8 Series of four EOs to boost coal  EO - Under the four orders, Trump uses his emergency authority to allow some older coal-fired power plants set for retirement to keep producing electricity to meet rising U.S. power demand amid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence and electric cars. Trump also directed federal agencies to identify coal resources on federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining and prioritize coal leasing on U.S. lands. In a related action, Trump also signed a proclamation offering coal-fired power plants a two-year exemption from federal requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and benzene. 4/9 Executive Order Attacking State Climate Laws EO - Directs the U.S. Attorney General to sue or block state climate policies deemed "burdensome" to fossil fuel interests — including laws addressing climate change, ESG investing, carbon taxes, and environmental justice. 4/9 New expiration dates on existing energy rules EO - The order directs ten agencies and subagencies to assign one-year expiration dates to existing energy regulations. If they are not extended, they will expire no later than September 30, 2026, according to a White House fact sheet on the order. The order also said any new regulations should include a five-year expiration, unless they are deregulatory. That means any future regulations would only last for five years unless they are extended. 4/17 Narrow Endangered Species Act to allow for habitat destruction The Trump administration is proposing to significantly limit the Endangered Species Act's power to preserve crucial habitats by changing the definition of one word: harm. The Endangered Species Act prohibits actions that “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect” endangered plants and animals. The word “harm” has long been interpreted to mean not just the direct killing of a species, but also severe harm to their environment  

There is no question the winters of our childhood are disappearing. In 2024, a rainy January gave way to tornadoes in February, flooding in June and drought in July and August. So what is next for Wisconsin and how can we prepare? In this episode, Amy talks with Wisconsin's state climatologist about what could be the new normal for our state. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin State Climatologist Resources for You: Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Wisconsin 2024 Annual Climate Summary  

We are breathing in and ingesting tiny plastic particles called microplastics and nanoplastics all the time. According to a recent study, tissues in a typical adult brain contains the equivalent of a plastic spoon's worth of plastic particles. In this episode, find out what all that plastic accumulating in our brains, arteries and reproductive systems could mean for our health--and what we can do about it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Population Health Fellow, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  Microplastics in our Bodies: Exposures and Potential Health Harms Under the Lens: Microplastics in our Environment and Our Bodies  

It's no secret, Wisconsin has been rapidly losing its family farms, and with them, a way of life that's defined much of our state for more than a century. But there's a lifeline. In this episode, a southeastern Wisconsin farmer explains why he's trading in some of his ethanol corn -- for a chance to farm the sun. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jay Wednt, farmer, Dean Kincaid, Inc.  Resources for you: Analysis reveals solar farms produce 100 times more energy per acre than corn ethanol Farmers for Solar Wind and solar emerge as cheapest options for powering Wisconsin

Imagine feeling not quite yourself. You don't feel like taking care of your kids. You can't find your way to work anymore, don't want to hang out with anybody. It would be awful. But it's happening to bees all around us. Turns out a pesticide used on virtually all of our corn and soybeans, is harming our pollinators at very low levels of exposure in ways that are rarely studied. On this episode, hear from a University of Wisconsin Madison researcher who's been looking at the lives of bees and the impacts of a neurotoxin we put on our food. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dr. Hames Crall, Assistant Professor of Entomology, University of Wisconsin Resources for You: Episode: Neurotoxins on our Plates Episode: Wisconsin's Vanishing Bee Episode: No Mow May, Does it Work? Understanding the Impact of Neonicotonoid Pesticides Wisconsin Neonic Forum Video Series    

What if I told you there was a grain that doesn't have to be replanted every spring, that has roots growing 10-feet deep, taking in carbon and holding it deep in the soil, that helps prevent soil erosion and excess fertilizer from washing into our lakes--AND it makes a tasty beer. In this episode, a look at the work behind an experimental batch of Kernza® beer at Karben4 Brewing in Madison that has the farming research world taking notice. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Joe Walts, Karben4 Brewing Resources for You:  Taste the Change: Wisconsin Kenrnza® Natural Climate Solutions: A path forward for Wisconsin's agricultural sector Three cheers for climate beer! Kernza® Crunch: The race to develop the world's first perennial grain crop    

“Action is the antidote to despair.” On this episode we look at how to move forward on climate when it feels like our federal government is determined to push us backward. Learn about actions you can take right now, right here in Wisconsin to defend progress. And hear from climate advocate and Wisconsin farmer Chelsea Chandler on climate strategy in the age of "drill baby drill." Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Chelsea Chandler Resources for you: Clean Wisconsin Take Action Analysis: Solar farms produce 100 times more energy per acrea than corn ethanol Threats to federal funding for pollution cleanup, clean energy initiatives spark anger in Wisconsin communities PSC approves most powerful solar project in Wisconsin history

In the wintertime, Wisconsin is one salty place. It's all over our cars – in our cars – tracked into buildings, all over our shoes and boots. It's a mess. Thankfully salt season is almost over, but it's never over for our lakes or even our drinking water wells. Find out what happens to all that salt when winter is over, and hear from an advocate who's working to teach all of us out to be salt wise.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Allison Madison, WI Salt Wise More Resources for You: WI Salt Wise website

We are about to say goodbye to some basic water protections as the Trump Administration looks to undo decades of science-based work focused on keeping toxic chemicals out of our water supplies. Right now on the Defender, Amy talks with Clean Wisconsin attorney Evan Feinauer about how bedrock protections like the Clean Water Act could be at risk as the new administration targets regulations, research, and expert staff at the EPA. Find out what's at stake and how Wisconsin can fight back. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer Resources for You:  Under the Lens: What we know about PFAS in Wisconsin's Water Nitrate pollution's impact on Wisconsn's health and economy Neonicotinoid pesticides and their impact More episodes with Evan:  When Judges Rule the Environment: How bad are the new Supreme Court rulings? What Trump 2.0 means for our environment    

Lead is a neurotoxin, and when you breathe it in, it gets into your bloodstream and can cause all kinds of health problems, including brain damage. It's no wonder leaded gasoline was banned in the US nearly 30 years ago. But that ban didn't cover small aircraft fuel. Turns out, those small airplanes buzzing around recreational airports across the state and country still use leaded gas. The planes are spreading tiny lead particles over people's backyards, water wells, playgrounds, soccer fields and waterways just about every time they fly. It this episode, Amy talks with a small town Wisconsin lawmaker who is leading her community's charge to get the lead out of our air. And she's got an eye-opening study that shows how our drinking water could be at risk too. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Cynthia Richson, Town of Middleton, Wis., town board chair Resources for you:  EPA Lead Endangerment Finding    

If you care about the environment, protecting this planet, our home, our livable climate, chances are you're a little stressed out right now. But what if I told you that environmental action can open the door… to joy. Heat from a Wisconsin woman who started on a journey a few years ago to get fossil fuels out of her home. No furnace, no gas stove, no gas hot water heater.  She takes us on a tour of her house and shares her perspective on activism and the joy she finds in taking personal responsibility for our impact in this world. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Susan Millar Resources for You: How to Defend the Inflation Reducation Act The biggest investment to fight climate change in U.S. history is under attack. Find out how you can protect incentives that are helping Wisconsinites save energy and money.

True to its name, this podcast, State of Change is about to undergo some big changes. The first – a new name. Going forward, this will be the Defender podcast. If that name sounds familiar, it's because it's the same name as Clean Wisconsin's quarterly newspaper, the longest-running environmental advocacy publication in Wisconsin, the Defender. And right now, that advocacy, that word “Defender” is so important. Environmentalism needs a voice, now more than ever. We're also going to be rolling out new episodes weekly. So every Monday check your favorite podcast streaming service or your inbox to listen to the latest Defender episode. Every week, Amy will with scientists, advocates, farmers, experts, and just everyday people who are working right here in Wisconsin to make a difference to protect this place we call home. And learn how you can use your voice to be part of defending what we all care about.  

It's food season, also known as the holidays! And what you choose to put on your plate actually has an impact on the world around you. Agriculture is not only big business across the Midwest, it is also a major source of water pollution in Wisconsin and a major and growing source greenhouse gas emissions. But how do you make it better? In this episode, Amy talks with Kathryn (Kata) Young, Natural Climate Solutions Manager with Clean Wisconsin, about the places where eating and our environment connect. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kathryn (Kata) Young, Clean Wisconsin

What does a new, better-prepared Trump Administration mean for the water we drink, the air we breathe, the safety of our food, our climate? We know a long list of federal environmental protections and programs will be rolled back or dismantled during the next presidential administration. We're talking about erasing new standards for toxic PFAS chemicals in our drinking water, pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, diminishing wetland protections, pulling funding to replace lead pipes, undermining the EPA's ability to regulate carbon, axing programs that help people weatherize their homes, getting rid of support for manufacturing of batteries and solar panels, and of course, lots more drilling and fracking. If you think it feels overwhelming, you're not wrong. There are also plans to target the unbiased science and research that happens at our federal agencies, replacing civil servants with political appointees.    So now that I've got you thoroughly angry, sad, scared, name the emotion, we're going to dig into some of these issues and look at the road ahead to fight back. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Clean Wisconsin Attorneys Evan Feinauer and Brett Korte

For the past 25 years, we've been putting neurotoxins on our food. Neonicotinoids are potent chemicals that attack the central nervous systems of insects. Not only are they widely used on our food and in our soil, they're showing up in our drinking water in Wisconsin. And that leads to a big question -- what do they do to us? In this episode, Amy uncovers the truth about neonicotinoids with experts from Clean Wisconsin and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Carla Romano, Groundwater Specialist, Department od Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Background Reading: Understanding the Impact of Neonicotinoid Insecticides Agricultural Chemicals in Wisconsin Groundwater Report, Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Neonitcotinoids and their impacts

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.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney Background Reading:  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. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Tracey Holloway, Professor of Environmental Studies & Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Science Mom Background Reading:  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. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Russ Klisch, Owner & Co-Founder of Lakefront Brewery Background Reading:  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. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Background Reading:  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? Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Katie Nekola, Attorney, Clean Wisconsin Background reading: 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. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jenny Van Sickle, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Background Reading:  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. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest : Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Background reading: 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 Like ‘State of Change?' Subscribe! Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin's environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

How do you know if the air you breathe is safe? It often depends on where you live--not just what town or city, but what neighborhood, what street. In this episode, Amy talks with Langston Verdin, founder of MKE Fresh Air Collective, a community-led air quality monitoring project in Milwaukee. Hear what he's been finding out about the air we breathe and what it could mean for our health.  One of the most dangerous kinds of pollution in terms of health outcomes is in the air. Fine particulate matter airpPollution is made up of tiny airborne particles that are 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They can settle deep in the lungs, even make their way into the bloodstream, and are associated with asthma attacks and higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and premature death. According to an analysis from Clean Wisconsin – Wisconsin has the 3rd racial disparity in the country when it comes to exposure to these tiny particles. The particles come from burning fossil fuels, usually at coal and gas power plants, industrial facilities, or on busy roads with lots of cars, buses and heavy trucks. With all of those sources around, how do we know when the air is safe and when it's not?  It's vital information that Langston Verdin, founder of MKE Fresh Air Collective, wants everybody to have. The collective has been working to install neighborhood air monitors across the city. Amy meets Langston at the site of his very first air monitor, at his old duplex in Washington Heights. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest : Langston Verdin, Founder, MKE Fresh Air Collective, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Background reading: Learn more about the MKE Fresh Air Collective Study shows Wisconsin has one of the largest racial disparities in the nation for exposure to dangerous air pollution particles New Analysis: Proposed EPA power plant rules would save Wisconsin millions in healthcare-related costs Like ‘State of Change?' Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin's environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate  

Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee nest discovered in Milwaukee County Before the 1990s, they were everywhere in Wisconsin and beyond. Native Rusty Patched Bumblebees nested and foraged across 28 states and parts of Canada. Then the population hit a sudden, rapid decline. By 2017, the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee had become so scarce it was the first bee listed as a federally endangered species. In this episode, a walk deep into the Wisconsin woods for the rarest of discoveries: a nest of Rusty Patched Bumblebee queens. Amy looks at what it's going to take to bring our bees back and meet the dedicated experts and volunteers who are working hard to save our pollinators. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Jay Watson, Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Halley Minser, Restoration Ecologist, Milwaukee County Parks Background Reading:  Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison  Milwaukee County Parks: Conservation

It feels like momentum is growing behind rooftop solar in Wisconsin. Federal tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, Focus on Energy rebates, and falling prices could finally push us out of the bottom half of states when it comes to home solar. Except some utilities in Wisconsin appear to be pushing back.   In this episode, a look plans from MG&E and Alliant Energy that could slow adoption of rooftop solar in Wisconsin. FInd out what you can do to protect solar in your community. Net metering. It doesn't sound that exciting, but it's actually one of the biggest incentives for families and small businesses to go solar. When your rooftop panels produce more energy than you can use, that energy goes into the grid, and your utility credits you for it. Now, MG&E and Alliant Energy are taking aim at that net metering incentive. Both are seeking approval from the Public Service Commission to drastically change the way they treat customers who install solar panels. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Chelsea Chandler, Clean Wisconsin Climate, Energy & Air Program Director Ciaran Gallagher, Clean Wisconsin Energy & Air Manager Background Reading:  Take Action: Tell the PSC to Protect Rooftop Solar Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 Three big things: Transitioning to Clean Energy in Wisconsin  

Beach closures, fish kills, green lakes. They are unfortunate signs of summer in Wisconsin. A big reason: untreated animal waste. Large dairies can produce as much waste as a small city. It's not only hard to deal with, it's dangerous if it gets into our water. Animal manure is one of the biggest sources of water pollution in Wisconsin. Now, some of Wisconsin's largest dairies are suing the state, trying to limit oversight of the way they handle animal waste. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce quietly filed the lawsuit just before Memorial Day weekend on behalf of the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance, a lobbying group representing a number of large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). In this episode, Amy talks with Clean Wisconsin water and agriculture program director Sara Walling and attorney Evan Feinauer to find out what the lawsuit means for Wisconsin's water resources and public health. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin Water & Agriculture Program Director Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney Background Reading:  Dangerous lawsuit puts water protections at risk Clean Wisconsin wins pair of landmark state Supreme Court cases

It's no secret, Wisconsin has been rapidly losing its small family farms, and with them, a way of life that's defined much of our state for more than a century. But there is a lifeline coming. About 30 miles outside of Lake Geneva, Amy meets Jay Wendt to take a long walk on a farm that's been in his wife's family for decades. These days, the family is joining farmers across Wisconsin who are choosing to lease some of their land for solar. Host:  Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jay Wendt, farmer, Dean Kincaid, Inc. Background Reading:  Analysis reveals solar farms produce 100 times more energy per acre than corn ethanol Wind and solar emerge as cheapest options for powering Wisconsin Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050

Don't believe everything you read on Facebook. Everybody knows that, but somehow misinformation still spreads like wildfire on social media, especially when it comes to climate change and clean energy like wind and solar. A sea of misinformation is getting in the way of badly-needed clean energy projects. Where are the false claims coming from, and why do people believe them? In this episode, what you can do to battle back – and recognize when disinformation is working on you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dr. Sedona Chinn, assistant professor of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Background Reading:  Politicization and Polarization in Climate Change News Content, 1985-2017 Wind and solar emerge as cheapest options for powering Wisconsin Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050

Some rural communities in Wisconsin are pushing back against wind & solar, but it doesn't have to be that way. Find out how you can help stop a clean energy backlash. To reach our climate goals, Wisconsin needs to build one major wind project and three to four large solar farms every year for the next few decades. But a wave of pushback could be coming. Some Wisconsin communities are working to pass ordinances making it harder to build those clean energy projects. It's something happening across our region. In this episode we talk with Dr. Sarah Mills from the University of Michigan who's been working in rural communities as they respond to the clean energy projects that are cropping up in their backyards. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dr. Sarah Mills, University of Michigan senior project manager and lecturer Background Reading:  Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 Analysis reveals solar farms produce 100 times more energy than ethanol Modeling shows Koshkonong solar farm will improve the health for nearby waterways

On a hilltop in southern Wisconsin, a small brewery, long famous for its beer, is making headlines for a very different reason. Since last fall, New Glarus Brewing has been capturing more than 330 pounds of carbon dioxide (a bi-product of beer making) every hour of operation and reusing it. Join co-founder and master brewer Dan Carey for a tour. Host:  Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dan Carey, co-founder and master brewer, New Glarus Brewing Background Reading:  New Glarus Brewing: Our Story Supporting Climate-Smart Agriculture Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050

We're hearing it more and more: Solar farms in Wisconsin are taking away prime farmland used for food. But it turns out, a million acres of farmland in Wisconsin are already being used energy production by growing corn for ethanol. A quarter of all the corn grown in our state is processed into ethanol. Nationwide, it's 45%. But which land use produces the most energy per acre, corn or solar? And how much land do we really need for solar in Wisconsin to end our reliance on coal and gas?  Hear from Clean Wisconsin Science Program Director Paul Mathewson, Ph.D., about his latest analysis that's been getting a lot of attention. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Background Reading: Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison Wisconsin's Roadmap to Net Zero report Modeling shows Koshkonong Solar Energy Center will improve the health of nearby waterways Clean Wisconsin Science Program page Like “State of Change”? Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin's environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

Six years ago, families in Marinette and Peshtigo, Wis., got the news that would change everything, for them, and eventually the whole state. PFAS from firefighting foam produced for years at nearby Tyco Fire Products had infiltrated groundwater, creeks, streams and drinking water wells across the area. Now University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers say they've linked contamination in Lake Michigan's Green Bay to Tyco. But it's an issue that goes far beyond Green Bay. PFAS have been found in water bodies and drinking water sources across the state, including Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Rhinelander, Marshfield, Manitowoc and Wausau, often near airports and airbases where training with firefighting foam has gone on for decades. While two types of PFAS chemicals called PFOA and PFOS have been phased out in the U.S. and will soon be regulated in drinking water by the EPA, there are thousands more, many of which are still widely used in all kinds of consumer products. Hear what needs to happen next to get a handle on growing PFAS contamination across Wisconsin and the world. Guests:  Dr. Christy Remucal, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UW-Madison. Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Host: Amy Barrilleaux Background Reading 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 Like “State of Change”? Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin's environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

What does the We Energies rate case tell us about how Wisconsin energy companies make money? Spoiler Alert: It's not by promoting energy efficiency. We Energies customers across Wisconsin are bracing for higher bills. The company is asking the Public Service Commission to approve a large rate hike, insisting its investment in new solar and wind infrastructure is driving the increase. But We Energies customers are still paying off a $2 billion construction price tag for the company's Oak Creek coal plant completed in 2011, and they'll keep paying long after it's shut down in two years. The Oak Creek coal plant may be a burden for customers, but it was a windfall for We Energies' shareholders. Experts say that points to a big problem with the way energy utilities in Wisconsin make money. Hear from Clean Wisconsin attorney Katie Nekola about what has to change – and find out and what other states are doing to bring power to the people in the face of rising bills. Find out more about Clean Wisconsin's legal work at the Public Service Commission here: https://www.cleanwisconsin.org/our-work/legal-action/ Episode Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, General Counsel, Clean Wisconsin

How often do we think about the food we eat and its impact on climate? A new food product called Kernza® perennial grain is part of a major effort to fight climate change by changing what we plant and eat. But can Kernza really find a place on dinner tables – and in cereal bowls –across Wisconsin? In this episode, we sit down to taste a few samples and learn why changing farming systems is key to helping our climate. Kernza® is the perennial grain crop from an improved intermediate wheatgrass developed by The Land Institute in Kansas. Research partners in the US, including Wisconsin and Minnesota, and abroad continue to improve the grain. Thank you to our guests: Nicole Tautges, agro-ecologist with the Michael Field Institute; Valentin Picasso, associate professor of agronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Scott Laeser, Clean Wisconsin Water Program Director Host: Amy Barrilleaux, Clean Wisconsin Background Reading: Agriculture is responsible for 15% of Wisconsin's total greenhouse gas emissions, and that contribution is growing. Find out how natural climate solutions like perennial agriculture can help – and why they're urgently needed in Wisconsin: cleanwisconsin.org/natural-climate-solutions

Despite science proving the climate crisis is real, many people are reluctant to take action against it, or even care! In this episode, we break down why that is and how the words we use to talk about climate change and who those words are coming from can influence the way we think about it. We first sit down with Ph.D. student Mikhaila Calice from the Department of Life Sciences Communication at UW-Madison who is researching why some people react differently to the phrase climate change, how our political climate has influenced the way we think about it and what we all can do to bring more people into the fight to protect our future. Later in the episode, we hear from Dr. Andrew Lewandowski, a pediatrician in Madison, who has started communicating climate change to his patients and measuring its effectiveness. Background Reading: Learn more about climate change and the work Clean Wisconsin is doing to fight it. Read Dr. Andrew Lewandowski's study "Patients value climate change counseling provided by their pediatrician: The experience in one Wisconsin pediatric clinic" Clean Wisconsin's Climate Change Mini-Report includes different recommendations that can help move Wisconsin forward on addressing climate change while building healthy communities and a healthy economy for all.

When you think about Wisconsin's great outdoors, you might picture our lakes and rivers, our hiking trails that lead to breathtaking bluffs and waterfalls, but you might not think about our wetlands. Even though they cover more than five-million acres of our state, wetlands don't always top the list of Wisconsin's most beloved outdoor spaces. But maybe they should, especially considering we've lost more than half of our wetlands in just the last century or so.   In this episode, come along with us as we walk through a wetland in south-central Wisconsin with Katie Beilfuss of the Wisconsin Wetland Association to learn about these special places and why people are fighting to keep them protected and preserved.  

Climate change is making summers hotter, leaving people without air conditioning in Milwaukee and other cities vulnerable to its dangerous health impacts. Low-income communities and communities of color are often more likely to experience the harsh impacts of severe heat brought by climate change. In this episode, we travel to the Century City Triangle Neighborhood in Milwaukee where over half of residents do not have air conditioning. We break down the dangers of Milwaukee's urban heat island effect, why some communities feel the impacts of heat more than others, and what can be done to protect people going forward. Hear from Yvonne McCaskill from the Century City Triangle Neighborhood Association, Clean Wisconsin Milwaukee Program Director Pam Ritger, and Caitlin Rublee from Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action.

Joe and Kathy Weitekamp have lived in the same home for nearly 40 years in the Town of Campbell, but they are just now learning of PFAS contamination in their private well. And they are not alone. Recently, La Crosse area residents are discovering PFAS in their drinking water, many over the state's recommended limit of 20 parts per trillion, from firefighting foam used by the city's fire department. In this episode, we hear how residents are stepping up to advocate for clean water as local governments are slow to take action and how one piece of legislation moving through the state legislature could help not only clean-up current PFAS contamination, but help prevent more in the future.

After years of court battles, the Wisconsin Supreme Court handed environmental advocates in the state a pair of victories today. The Court ruled in two separate cases, each named Clean Wisconsin v. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), that the DNR must exercise its authority to protect Wisconsin's water resources. In this episode, Clean Wisconsin staff attorney Evan Feinauer breaks down the ruling in each case and what it means for water protections going forward.

In April, two cases brought by Clean Wisconsin to protect the state's water resources were heard by the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. Though these cases are centered around permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the implications of the rulings go far beyond the paperwork.   In this episode, Clean Wisconsin's staff attorney Evan Feinauer briefs us on the details of these cases, breaks down our arguments and explains what the future rulings could mean for water protections in the state.  Background Reading: Read more from our staff attorney on the two cases recently heard by the State Supreme Court. Sign-up for Clean Wisconsin's Action Network. We'll send you regular updates with opportunities to contact your legislators to protect our air, water and natural heritage. Like ‘State of Change?' Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin's environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

On Thursday, leaders of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee voted to scrap nearly 400 items in Governor Evers' state budget, including many important water and climate change initiatives. In this episode, Clean Wisconsin's President & CEO Mark Redsten breaks down what environmental protections were scrapped from the $91 billion dollar proposed budget, the message sent from Republican legislators and the future of these crucial clean water and clean energy initiatives. Background Reading: Take action: tell the Joint Finance Committee and your elected officials to restore Governor Evers' clean water, clean energy and climate change budget items! Sign-up for Clean Wisconsin's Action Network. We’ll send you regular updates with opportunities to contact your legislators to protect our air, water and natural heritage. Like 'State of Change?' Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin’s environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

Through electrifying our cars, trucks, buses and other modes of transportation, we can cut carbon emissions and curb climate change in Wisconsin. While carbon emissions from electricity have gone down, carbon emissions from transportation have increased over the last decade and is now the leading contributor of carbon emissions in the United States. In this episode, we drive around with Clean Wisconsin's Jon Drewsen, an EV owner himself, to talk about the pros and cons of driving an electric vehicle and why it is crucial the state legislature invest in the transition to clean transportation in Wisconsin. We later talk with Kathy Kuntz from Dane County's Office of Energy and Climate Change about the county's accomplishment of having the most EVs on the road in the state and what needs to happen in Wisconsin to help increase the demand of electric vehicles. We also speak with Ned Noel, a senior planner with the City of Eau Claire, to learn about the importance of investing in EV infrastructure now so municipalities and the state can be ready for the future. Background Reading: Learn about the work Clean Wisconsin is doing to help advocate for investments in clean transportation and support statewide electric vehicle infrastructure here. Read more from Clean Wisconsin's Scott Blankman on why electric vehicles must be the future of travel in Wisconsin. Read the City of Eau Claire's Electric Vehicle Roadmap. Like 'State of Change?' Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin’s environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

Energy efficiency may not be as flashy as electric vehicles or solar panels, but it is an important step that all Wisconsinites can take to save energy and save money. In this episode, Clean Wisconsin's Climate Solutions Director Chelsea Chandler explains how residents and business owners have a great tool in their tool box when it comes to being more energy efficient, and that is the statewide program Focus on Energy. It is a program that provides Wisconsin state residents and businesses with resources, incentives and support to implement energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects. Later in the show, we talk with Isaac Showaki, the president of Octopi Brewing in Waunakee, Wisconsin, about how using Focus on Energy has helped make his business more energy efficient and saved him money in the long run. Background Reading: Tell your state legislators and the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee: Support increasing our investment in Focus on Energy in the budget here. Learn all about the Focus on Energy program and its benefits for all Wisconsinites! Read how Clean Wisconsin is working toward a clean energy future here. Clean Wisconsin's Climate Change Mini-Report includes different recommendations that can help move Wisconsin forward on addressing climate change while building healthy communities and a healthy economy for all. Like "State of Change?" Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin’s environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate

It's that time of the year when the days get warmer and Wisconsinites start their spring cleaning. For some, that means re-sealing their driveways, but certain pavement sealants can be harmful to both the environment and public health due to having high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH. In this episode, we sit down with Clean Wisconsin's water resource specialist Ezra Meyer and staff scientist Paul Mathewson to explain what PAHs are and how certain pavement sealants are toxic to the landscape and the health of Wisconsinites. We also talk with the former mayor of Port Washington to discuss what the town did to help curb PAH exposure and what the state government can do, as well. Background Reading Clean Wisconsin is a leading voice to end the use of high-PAH pavement sealants around the state. Read more on how they impact residents and the environment here. Read more from Paul Mathewson how high-PAH pavement sealants affect public health. Tip when looking for alternatives to high-PAH pavement sealants: Tar can have a lot of different names, and some other byproducts can have very high levels of PAHs. To be safe, check the “Material Safety Data Sheet” of the product (try searching online) and avoid anything including CAS #’s 64742-90-1, 65996-92-1, 65996-93-2, 65996-89-6, 69013-21-4, or 8007-45-2. Like our podcast? Subscribe to State of Change on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate our show and give us a review. It helps other people find us. You can learn more about Clean Wisconsin and our work at www.cleanwisconsin.org Sign up to get the latest news from Clean Wisconsin in your inbox at www.cleanwisconsin.org/email Like State of Change? Help support our podcast and our work to protect Wisconsin’s environment at www.cleanwisconsin.org/donate