Stopping BP’s dumping scheme
In July 2007, BP announced plans to dramatically increase its dumping of toxic chemicals into Lake Michigan. In three weeks, we gathered 80,000 petition signatures and BP backed down under what the Chicago Tribune called a “firestorm” of criticism.

Creating a clean energy future for Wisconsin
More of Wisconsin’s electricity will come from clean, renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, thanks to a new law backed by Wisconsin Environment and signed by Gov. Jim Doyle in 2006. The law will also help Wisconsinites save energy—and reduce their utility bills—through energy efficiency.

Winning support for global warming solutions
In 2008, Wisconsin Environment convinced Gov. Doyle’s global warming task force to recommend a bold plan to reduce Wisconsin’s emissions and promote a clean energy economy.

Preserving the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Compact, passed in 2008, will ensure that water from the lakes is used more sustainably. Wisconsin Environment and our allies helped to build support for the agreement, and our advocates in Washington helped to push it through Congress.

Going farther on a gallon of gas
New gas mileage standards for cars and trucks, championed by Wisconsin Environment and our allies, were approved in 2007. The new standards will reduce the United States’ global warming pollution 424 million metric tons per year by 2030.

Protecting Wisconsin’s parks and open spaces
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund has protected almost half a million acres of Wisconsin’s most beautiful places since 1989—including the Mink River Estuary. In 2008, Wisconsin Environment helped to increase the fund’s budget by 40 percent.

Keeping mercury out of our streams and rivers
We need to make sure all of Wisconsin’s lakes and waterways are safe for fishing and swimming. In 2008, we took an important step when Wisconsin Environment won a new state policy that will reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 90 percent.  

Bringing change to Washington
In 2008, voters elected the most pro-environment president and Congress in recent memory. As part of Environment America Voter Action, we talked to more than one million voters about the environmental records of Barack Obama and the 29 congressional candidates we endorsed—including Wisconsin Rep. Steve Kagen—all of whom were elected.

Saving our lakes from harmful pollutants
In 2008, Wisconsin Environment launched a campaign to fight the plague of algae blooms in Wisconsin’s lakes and streams—by restricting phosphorous in lawn fertilizer.

Defending the Arctic Wildlife Refuge
Some 123,000 caribou will migrate to their calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this spring, thanks in part to our steadfast opposition to attempts to open this wilderness to drilling.