Eco-Minute

AI data centers in Wisconsin are guzzling more water than expected, potentially surpassing even major cities’ consumption, according to Clean Wisconsin’s latest analysis. Despite using water recycling, these centers’ energy needs are a significant drain on the state’s water resources. Meanwhile, the EPA has paused plans to scrap the Energy Star program, which saves Americans […]

Tue Nov 4, 2025

1:00

Air pollution ups breast cancer risk, says an Oregon study, spotlighting the perils of heavy vehicle emissions, especially as the Trump administration rolls back EPA rules. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s rural communities brace for a federal food share cut, threatening local farmers markets and leaving thousands in the lurch. In brighter news, Wisconsin Apples orchard shines as […]

Tue Oct 28, 2025

1:00

Federal budget cuts are threatening Wisconsin trout as funding slashes hit the USGS Ecosystem Mission Area, crucial in battling invasive sea lampreys. These parasitic fish have wreaked havoc on Great Lakes fisheries, but recent progress is now at risk. Meanwhile, as autumn leaves carpet our lawns, experts advise against sending them to landfills. Fallen leaves […]

Tue Oct 14, 2025

1:00

Amy Barrilleaux reports from Stella, Wisconsin, where residents demand answers from the EPA and DNR over dangerous PFAS contamination linked to industrial sludge from paper companies. Alarmingly, there’s no mandate to disclose PFAS in agricultural sludge. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s coastal areas receive a financial boost with $1.3 million in grants aimed at shoreline preservation, celebrating Coastal […]

Tue Oct 7, 2025

1:00

Wisconsin takes a leap towards clean energy with the approval of its first wind farm in 14 years, the Badger Hollow Wind Energy Center, alongside a new solar farm. Yet, record high temperatures in cities like Milwaukee signal trouble for fall’s vibrant hues. The Wisconsin State Climatology Office warns that hotter nights, a result of […]

Tue Sep 30, 2025

1:00

Michigan’s Supreme Court is set to hear a pivotal case against Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline, as opponents claim legal violations in the approval of an oil tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. Meanwhile, a new report by Clean Wisconsin highlights the dire impact of nitrate pollution from fertilizers and manure, forcing families to endure higher […]

Tue Sep 23, 2025

1:00

Clean Wisconsin’s latest analysis unveils a startling fact: AI data centers in the state, notably Vantage Data Center and Microsoft’s new hub, will consume over 3.9 gigawatts—more power than all state homes combined. Meanwhile, Senator Tammy Baldwin celebrates the Senate’s approval of a crucial bill to combat toxic algae in Wisconsin’s lakes. This legislation mandates […]

Tue Sep 16, 2025

1:00

Wisconsin hunters are warned: mallard and wood ducks from Green Bay are contaminated with PFAS chemicals, traced to Tyco fire products. Meanwhile, the crucial Mississippi River Ecosystem Research Area faces severe federal budget cuts, threatening its century-old scientific contributions on water quality and wildlife. These developments underscore the importance of environmental vigilance and advocacy. On […]

Tue Sep 9, 2025

1:00

Wisconsin’s environmental scene heats up as a state court of appeals rejects a lawsuit threatening crucial water protections, safeguarding waterways from CAFOs’ waste. Meanwhile, the Line 5 oil pipeline controversy escalates, with the battle shifting to Madison. Experts are set to testify on the environmental risks of Enbridge’s plan to expand the pipeline, which involves […]

Tue Sep 2, 2025

1:00

Regulators have imposed a hefty $29 million burden on Midwest families to revive a dormant coal plant in Michigan, thanks to a controversial Trump-era emergency order. The financial hit has sparked outcry as the plant’s inefficiency becomes painfully clear in just five weeks. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s often-overlooked wetlands are emerging as unsung heroes, offering a staggering […]

Tue Aug 19, 2025

1:00