The EPA says it wants to toss out a rule that keeps coal power plants from releasing hundreds of millions of gallons of toxic metals into nearby waterways. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said the rule is so hard to comply with that it could cause coal plants to shut down, and that would deprive AI data centers of the electricity they need. Zeldin called the rule “burdensome” in the face of the coming “AI data center revolution.”

Work can continue on the controversial Line 5 oil pipeline under construction across pristine areas of Wisconsin’s Northwoods, but not everywhere. A circuit court judge has ruled that right now, Canadian oil giant Enbridge cannot build some sections of the pipeline that cross waterways –because its permits may not be legally valid. The judge will make a decision about those permits at a later date.

For a deep dive into Wisconsin’s most pressing environmental issues, check out my Defender podcast at cleanwisconsin.org or wherever you get your podcasts.