Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and state Democratic lawmakers continue to push for legislation to address the environmental impacts of ubiquitous per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds. Last week they unveiled a substantially revised version of Gov. Evers’ Chemical Level Enforcement and Remediation (CLEAR) Act, a far-reaching legislative proposal to regulate PFAS in fire-fighting foam, air emissions and food packaging. The legislation would also exempt WDNR from following the REINS Act when creating rules defining acceptable levels and standards, performance standards, monitoring requirements, and required response actions for any PFAS in the environment. Interestingly, the proposal comes while WDNR is nonetheless asserting broad authority to regulate PFAS under existing statutes which is being challenged in pending court actions.

Wisconsin Governor Introduces Revamped and Expanded PFAS “CLEAR” Legislation

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Wisconsin DNR concerns over high levels of PFAS in smelt prompt Ontario to put fish under microscope - https://t.co/W7NhDOb9RW pic.twitter.com/ZDCbMDpSWZ
— IJC.org (@IJCsharedwaters) April 23, 2021
In honor of #EarthDay, I want to highlight that I am a proud original co-sponsor of the CLEAR Act, which would help address dangerous PFAS chemicals in Wisconsin.
— Representative Robyn Vining (@RepRobynVining) April 22, 2021
Many thanks to my colleagues, especially @senator_melissa, for their work on this important legislation. pic.twitter.com/UE5YFx4f7T
Governor Evers & Wisconsin democrats reintroduce “CLEAR” Act to address PFAS contamination in the Town of Campbell and state-wide https://t.co/Fqrc87dh7c
— EIN Presswire: Chemical Newswire (@EINChemicalNews) April 22, 2021
A group of Democratic lawmakers gathered alongside Gov. Tony Evers to announce a new bill that would help the state tackle PFAS contamination. https://t.co/OZ2xUmQmvt
— JSOnline - NewsWatch (@js_newswatch) April 21, 2021