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Madison, Wisconsin — The issue of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, received a lot of attention in last week’s state address by Gov. Tony Evers. Known throughout Wisconsin as “Forever Chemical”.
Members of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy spent Tuesday morning listening to experts, from professors to experts dealing with decontamination.
Much of the conversation at the hearing centered around the Marinette and Peshtigo areas where there was contamination from the Tyco Fire Products plant, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls.
A Johnson Controls plant in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. (Spectrum News 1/Jorge Rodas)
Some of these same chemicals are appearing in the Green Bay area, and researchers believe that several rivers and groundwater in the area may be responsible.
Tuesday’s hearing wasn’t about the governor’s spending plans, but testimony could affect how high the priority the issue will be for lawmakers working on the state’s budget in February.
One area that may need to be addressed is the affordability of PFAS-free foam for fire departments.
In the summer of 2019, firefighters used foam containing PFAS to control a fire at the Madison Gas and Electric substation near downtown. The Madison Fire Department has since switched to his PFAS-free form. But smaller local departments can’t afford to do that, North Shore Environmental Construction’s Dave Johnson told lawmakers on Tuesday.
In July 2019, a fire broke out at a Madison Gas and Electric substation near downtown. (Spectrum News 1/Anthony DaBruzzi)
Lawmakers will hear more on Feb. 15, when Gov. Evers makes his budget speech. However, the governor had previously called for spending more than his $100 million on his PFAS using his so-called three-pronged approach.
- Enhanced testing, sampling and monitoring
- Make more resources available in case of pollution
- Raise Wisconsin awareness of the dangers of PFAS
Minority Democratic leaders in Congress and the Senate said they needed to address PFAS in Wisconsin at a Wispolitics event on Tuesday. Minority leader in parliament, Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, said the two parties should be able to work together on a solution.
“I’ve met people who can’t drink water, but I’m not going to tell them there’s nothing we can do,” explained Neubauer. I know someone who is, so I hope we can make some progress.”
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