The Defender

Clean Wisconsin: Your environmental voice since 1970

Welcome to the Defender, Wisconsin's environmental podcast, where we talk about the most pressing environmental issues facing Wisconsin and how you can plug in to defend our air, water, land and climate. The Defender is hosted by former radio and TV journalist Amy Barrilleaux. She'll help cut through the jargon and all the misinformation that's out there and have real conversations about how to build a healthy, sustainable future. Every week, Amy talks with scientists, advocates, farmers, experts, and just everyday people who are working right here in Wisconsin to make a difference to protect this place we call home.

  1. 16. FEB.

    How Superior WI Defeated a Gas Plant

    Communities across Wisconsin are starting to push back when energy utilities come to town with big plans for big gas plants. But how do you turn opposition into victory? In this episode, Amy talks with the mayor of Superior about the city's long journey to defeat the Nemadji Trail Energy Center—the ugly gas plant with the pretty name. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Mayor Jim Paine, Superior, Wis. Resources for You: Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas

    27 min.

  2. 9. FEB.

    The Nuclear Option

    There is a lot of new excitement around nuclear energy these days, and no coincidence, it comes as we face staggering energy demands from AI data centers. Now, the Trump Administration is relaxing environmental and safety regulations for new nuclear reactors. In this episode, a look at what would happen to our environment - and our energy bills - if utilities race to meet AI demand by building more nuclear reactors. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, General Counsel, Clean Wisconsin

    26 min.

  3. 2. FEB.

    Why Wisconsin should be more like Texas!

    In the race to transition to clean, safe energy, there are lessons to be learned just about everywhere, including in Texas. In this episode, what January's major winter storm is teaching us about our power grid—and the painful lesson we are all going to learn this month about natural gas. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, PhD, Energy and Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin

    37 min.

  4. 26. JAN.

    Why Help on Forever Chemicals is Taking… Forever

    On this episode, some real hope that a bipartisan solution for state PFAS funding is at hand -- and the industry that is coming in at the last minute to try to kill it.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Erik Kanter, Government Relations Director, Clean Wisconsin  Resources for You:  Clean Wisconsin Action Network

    25 min.

  5. 20. JAN.

    What did the EPA just do?

    In this episode, how new action from the EPA is undermining one of the most successful environmental laws in US history. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Nick Mailloux, PhD Student, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Resources for You: Join Clean Wisconsin's Action Network Pollution and Our Health: The Environmental Health Initiative

    31 min.

  6. 12. JAN.

    How Caledonia WI Defeated a Data Center

    In this episode, how a small Wisconsin community stood up to one of the most powerful companies in the world… and won. And what we can all learn from their fight. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Prescott Balch, Village of Caledonia resident Resources for You: Stop Unchecked Data Center Development (petition) AI Data Center Energy Demand Analysis  AI Data Center Offsite Water Withdrawals

    36 min.

  7. 15.12.2025

    What to know about PFAS pesticides

    On this episode a look what could be sprayed on food and farm fields all around us - plus a bit of Wisconsin history that offers some hope as we confront a new batch of toxic chemicals. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin Water & Agency Program Director Resources for You: Under the Lens: What we know about PFAS in Wisconsin's Water Nitrate pollution's impact on Wisconsn's health and economy Neonicotinoid pesticides and their impact Episode 43: The pesticides that could be lurking in your pollinator garden Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why. Episode 29: Trump's Threat to Safe Water (and how WI can fight back!)

    23 min.

  8. 08.12.2025

    Goodbye Grocery Store?

    Meet the Wisconsin native who is foraging 100% of his food. What was the last thing you foraged? Maybe some ramps, or morels? But what about your salt, oil, even toothpaste? On this episode, meet the Wisconsin native who is setting out to prove that he can not only survive for an entire year eating only food he has foraged, but he can also help show the true connection to nature most of us have been missing.   Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Robin Greenfield, Sustainability Advocate, Ashland Wis. native Resources for You: robingreenfield.org Food Freedom: A Year of Growing and Foraging 100% of My Food Robin Greenfield YouTube Channel Defender Episode 57: Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit

    49 min.
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Welcome to the Defender, Wisconsin's environmental podcast, where we talk about the most pressing environmental issues facing Wisconsin and how you can plug in to defend our air, water, land and climate. The Defender is hosted by former radio and TV journalist Amy Barrilleaux. She'll help cut through the jargon and all the misinformation that's out there and have real conversations about how to build a healthy, sustainable future. Every week, Amy talks with scientists, advocates, farmers, experts, and just everyday people who are working right here in Wisconsin to make a difference to protect this place we call home.

Oplysninger

  • Skaber
    Clean Wisconsin: Your environmental voice since 1970
  • Aktive år
    2020 - 2026
  • Episoder
    69
  • Vurdering
    Ikke anstødeligt
  • Copyright
    © Clean Wisconsin 2025
  • Websted for serie
    The Defender