The Defender

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

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

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

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

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