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Wisconsin Agencies Push Forward on Climate Change Issues

September 29, 2010

The federal government and the Wisconsin Legislature have declined to act on climate change, but that is not stopping the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources from taking steps to confront perceived threats.

DNR Secretary Matt Frank has signed an agreement with the state of Michigan on behalf of the state of Wisconsin, pledging social, economic, and governmental changes to prevent significant global warming.

The joint memorandum provides a framework for the leadership of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment to establish common goals to jointly pursue research, planning, and implementation focused on climate change.

Moving forward, both states agree to invite additional state partners to exchange information, and enhance coordination and cooperation. They plan to identify and communicate opportunities for joint participation in projects and programs of mutual interest and share the results of research to maximize capability and limit duplication of effort. Wisconsin and Michigan will provide technical assistance to help to ensure that appropriate environmental and engineering evaluations are conducted. And the states will propose action and potential funding options for greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation.

(This post was authored by Hamilton Consulting Group's intern, Emily Kelchen, a third year law student at the University of Wisconsin Law School.)

 

 

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Proposed EPA 8-hour Ozone Rule Drawing Criticism from Business Groups

September 20, 2010
The Wall Street Journal today has an article discussing a controversial smog regulation proposed by the Obama Administration. The proposed EPA rule lowers the nation’s air quality standard for ozone between 60 and 70 parts per billion, compared with the 75 ppb currently.
 
The WSJ article notes that the proposed regulation is drawing fire from business groups, who are upset that the Administration is already lowering the standard which was just changed by the Bush Administration in 2008. Typically, the EPA waits five years before revising the standards.
 
For more information about the 8-hour ozone standard, click here.
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Statewide Electronics Recycling Mandate Begins Today

September 1, 2010

 

Beginning September 1, 2010 electronics can no longer be thrown away or incinerated in the state of Wisconsin. 2009 Wisconsin Act 50 applies to all Wisconsin residents, schools, and businesses. The ban includes all televisions, computers, cell phones and peripheral devices.  The Department of Natural Resources has a complete list of banned items on its website.

The law establishing the ban also created a statewide electronics recycling program, under which electronics manufacturers pay to recycle a certain amount of electronics from households and schools each year. However, households and schools may still pay a recycling fee or be limited in the number of devices they can recycle at one time. There are also collection sites across the state where consumers can properly dispose of their used electronics.

 

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