The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) added a button on the main page of the website to make it easier to find resources businesses need to meet their environmental requirements. Look for Business Resources below the Natural Resources Board button.
The Business Resources topic page gives you quick access not only to the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, Enviro-Check and Green Tier program specific resources, but also connects to pages on Starting and Growing your Business, Permits and Reporting, as well as Sustainability and ways to get involved in DNR activities.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting applications for FY24 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Grants. The deadline for applications is Nov. 13, 2023.
Visit the EPA’s FY24 Brownfields MARC Application Resource webpage for grant information, requirements and other valuable resources such as:
- A new resource for state/tribal environmental authorities: FY 2024 Cleanup Grant sample site characterization letter template
- Pre-recorded videos to provide an overview of the FY24 grants submission
- Dates and links to webinars on grant ranking criteria
- Tips and ideas for grant proposals
Grants offered by the EPA Brownfields Program can be used on various brownfield activities, with an opportunity to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes.
Wisconsin State Acknowledgement Letters
If your community or organization intends to apply for an FY24 MAC Grant, the EPA requires grant applicants – except tribal entities – to obtain a state acknowledgement letter from the DNR. The letter acknowledges that the state is aware of the community or organization’s application for a federal grant and intent to conduct brownfield assessment or cleanup activities.
Request a DNR Acknowledgement Letter by Oct. 25, 2023. Send written requests for state acknowledgement letters to Molly Schmidt at MollyE.Schmidt@Wisconsin.gov no later than Oct. 25, 2023, to allow adequate time to draft and receive the letter prior to the EPA’s application deadline of Nov. 13, 2023. More information on state acknowledgement letter requirements is available on the DNR Federal Brownfields Grants webpage under “DNR acknowledgement letter.”
The DNR recently released its 2023 Air Quality Trends Report. The annual report includes state monitoring data through 2022 for air pollutants regulated under the federal Clean Air Act, including ground-level ozone, particle pollution, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. While concentrations of these pollutants have decreased over the last two decades, in recent years the report shows two of the most harmful pollutants – ozone and fine particulates – have decreased only modestly in recent years.
The 2023 report shows that since the early 2000s, statewide ozone concentrations have decreased 21%. With these reductions, the entire state is meeting the federal 2008 ozone standard. However, with only modest improvements, and even slight concentration increases along the Lake Michigan shoreline in recent years, the Milwaukee area and parts of Sheboygan and Kenosha counties are not meeting the more stringent 2015 ozone standard.
To better illustrate the latest trends, the DNR updated the interactive StoryMap which shows Wisconsin's air quality trends for each pollutant over the last 20 years. This tool provides a more user-friendly visual way to convey complex air quality data.
The 2023 trends report also includes updated national emissions inventory data through 2020. The data show that emissions of most directly emitted pollutants or their precursors have decreased substantially since 2002. Highlights from this data include:
- A 72% decrease in reported emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a 28% decrease in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – key ingredients that form ground-level ozone.
- Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) decreased by 93%, with the largest reductions coming from the electric utility fuel combustion sector.
- Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) decreased by 58%, with most of the reductions coming from highway vehicles and the off-highway sector.
The 2023 Air Quality Trends Report, StoryMap, and other historical reports are available on the DNR’s Air Quality webpage. Current Wisconsin air quality conditions can be found on the Wisconsin Air Quality Monitoring Data webpage.
NR 140 Rule Revisions and Draft Economic Impact Analysis
The DNR is developing revisions to the state’s groundwater quality rules in NR 140, Wis. Adm. Code. The rule revisions are intended to add new state groundwater quality standards for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA/”GenX”). In accordance with s. 160.07, Wis. Stat., amendments to ch. NR 140, Wis. Adm. Code, groundwater quality standards for substances of public health concern are based on recommendations from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
The DNR has developed a draft NR 140 Economic Impact Analysis and is holding a public comment period to solicit additional information or advice on the economic effect of the proposed rules. Note: A separate public comment period on the rule itself will be held after the economic impact analysis has been finalized.
Materials for review may be found on the DNR's proposed rules webpage under NRB Order Number DG-17-22.
A virtual informational meeting will be presented on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at 1 p.m., to provide a summary of the key proposed NR 140 rule revisions, opportunities for public comment, and rulemaking timeline.
Comments on the NR 140 Economic Impact Analysis will be accepted from Sept. 28 – Oct. 28, 2023. Comments may be emailed to DNR140GroundwaterQualityStandards@wisconsin.gov.
EPA Informational Webinar Oct. 24 - Proposed New Source Performance Standard for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels
EPA is proposing amendments to update and strengthen the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for volatile organic liquid (VOL) storage vessels (including petroleum liquid storage vessels). The proposed amendments would fulfill EPA’s responsibility under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to periodically review emission standards to reflect developments in pollution control technologies and techniques. If finalized, the proposal would establish more protective standards for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from storage vessels, including floating roof storage vessel and storage vessel that use closed vent systems and control.
To help impacted communities and sources, EPA will host an informational webinar on Oct. 24, 2023 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Central Time. This webinar will provide an overview of the proposed rule, information on how to effectively engage in the regulatory process, and an opportunity to participate in a Q&A session.
The webinar is FREE and open to the public and will be held using the Zoom platform. A toll-free call-in number will also be available. Additional information about the rulemaking, including how to register for the webinar, can be found on EPA’s website.
EPA Webinar on Air Emissions Reporting Requirements Proposed Rule – Oct. 25
The EPA extended the comment period for the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) proposal for an additional 30 days to November 17, 2023. To allow for additional questions and answers, EPA will hold a webinar for industry on AERR from 1-4pm (CT) on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. The proposal and other information is available at the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements website.
Issues & Trends Webinar Oct. 25: Vapor Intrusion In Wisconsin – 2023 Updates
The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, from noon-1 p.m.
The scheduled presentation is titled Vapor Intrusion in Wisconsin – 2023 Updates and will be followed by time for questions.
- Active Alarms – Overview of long-term stewardship of vapor mitigation systems in Wisconsin
- Vapor Intrusion Resources for Local Governments – Debut of a new vapor intrusion webpage resource for local governments
- Technical Updates on Passive Sampling, Sewers, Cracks and other Pathways – Updates and lessons learned on topics including result variability, passive sorbent sampling, conduit VI and other preferential pathways, real-time sampling, investigation at new and renovated buildings in contaminated settings, rapid response mitigation and state funded vapor investigations.
A Zoom web conferencing registration link may be found on the RR Program’s Conferences and Training webpage.
Recordings of previous Issues & Trends webinars may be found in the RR Program’s Training Library.
FET Professional Development Courses Oct. 31 and Environment Conference Nov. 1-2
FET’s Annual Conference and Exhibition is held each year over a 3-day period. The first day provides several Professional Development Courses to choose from, followed by a 2-day program including an opening plenary session, a panel discussion and many educational sessions on everything environmental, health and safety. Information on registration and the conference agenda are all available on FET’s Conference webpage.
Wisconsin Asbestos Conference – Dec. 1
The Environmental Information Association (EIA) and the Wisconsin Asbestos Conference Committee are hosting the Wisconsin Asbestos Conference on Dec. 1, 2023, at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Attendees will gain industry education and have access to many useful vendors in the exhibit hall. Join EIA for this outstanding and affordable education, marketing, and networking event. The one-day conference features the most up-to-date regulatory information and industry expertise available in the state. Register as an attendee or exhibitor. Hurry as registration fees increase on Nov. 10, 2023. The current agenda is posted on the WAC website.
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