Governor Evers and Wisconsin Democrats reintroduce ‘CLEAR’ Act to address PFAS contamination in the Town of Campbell and state-wide 

TOWN OF CAMPBELL, Wis. (WKBT) — Wisconsin Democrats and Gov. Tony Evers reintroduced a bill to address PFAS contamination in the Town of Campbell and statewide. 

Evers says lawmakers are out of time. They must address what the governor describes as a crisis. “We need action now. I just think it is amplified every time we find it someplace else. Sooner or later our friends in the legislature will have to take this seriously,” Evers says.

The governor says drinking water in 50 Wisconsin communities, including Campbell, is contaminated with PFAS, which are man-made compounds linked to infertility, thyroid disease, and cancer.  

“Folks we have a problem,” Evers said.

During the last legislative session, lawmakers introduced the CLEAR act, a bill to establish and enforce environmental standards for PFAS. It died in the Republican–controlled State Senate. Democrats announced at the Town of Campbell library they are introducing the CLEAR act again.

“Now we stand here today to a bill that we all believe is the most comprehensive plan to address PFAS in the entire nation,” said State Sen. Melissa Agard. 

If the growing PFAS cases are not enough to persuade all lawmakers, Democrats hope the stories of people like Lee Donahue, who’s living on bottled water, will.

“My heart dropped. I’m worried about the health of my neighbors, and the effort it takes to get replacement water for our residents. It is truly nerve-racking,” Donahue said.

Even if PFAS hasn’t affected most Wisconsin communities, Evers told reporters “It’s coming.”

In a statement to News 8 Now, a spokesman for Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos wrote, “Last session Assembly Republicans took up and passed two bills related to PFAS chemicals, one of which was signed into law. This is one of the priorities of the caucus’ newest member Elijah Behnke who looks forward to collaborating on additional proposals.”

Evers’ next budget also includes $20 million for PFAS testing and mitigation. Evers’ budget also needs to be approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature.  

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