...but not in a good way. On this episode, a look at the fossil fuel boom caused by AI and the cry for help from state regulators who say they're powerless to stop it.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, Energy and Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin
Resources for You:
Do AI Data Centers Hurt Your Health? (The Defender episode 81)
The Truth About AI Data Centers and Water (The Defender episode 74)
Clean Wisconsin Action Network
The DNR just revealed a long list of violations at Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline construction site. In this episode, a deep dive into what Enbridge is doing to Wisconsin's Northwoods, and whether the DNR can or will do anything about it.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Evan Feinauer
Resources for You:
Take Action: Tell the DNR to hold Enbridge accountable for violations at Line 5
Join Clean Wisconsin's Action Network
If you think growing hazelnuts is just for Europe or the West Coast, think again. Turns out, we've got a wild, native variety right here in Wisconsin, and people are getting excited pretty excited about it.
In this episode Amy heads out to Sheboygan County to find out why farmers and environmental advocates are so hyped about Wisconsin's hazelnuts.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Aaron Kolste, Wisconsin Hazelnut Farmer
Resources for You:
Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative
Halelnuts Could Help Reshape Wisconsin's Agriculture (video)
Our neighbor to the south—Iowa—has a cancer problem. In this episode, we look at a new study that paints an alarming picture of rural America... and cancer rates.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Kerri Johannsen, Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council
Resources for You:
Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis
Nitrates and Health Impacts in Wisconsin
Neonicotinoid Pesticides and Health Impacts in Wisconsin
PFAS and Health Impacts in Wisconsin
Common Pesticides Used in Wisconsin and Potential Health Harms
We all know Wisconsin's weather is full of extremes and wild swings, like snow one day, sandals the next, and then back to snow. But 2026 has been wild even for us. In this episode, Amy talks with Wisconsin's state climatologist about what just happened this year, and what's next.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin State Climatologist
Resources for You:
Wisconsin Center for Climatic Research
One Year Later: What the Milwaukee Flood Took and What it Left Behind
The largest reported oil and gas pipeline spill in state history is unfolding in Wisconsin's Northwoods. A couple of weeks ago, Canadian oil giant Enbridge spilled more than a million gallons of liquid natural gas after it accidentally broke its own pipeline in Iron County. And right now, we have way more questions than answers.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney
Resources for You:
Pipeline Spill Video, Courtesy David Joe Bates (Facebook Post)
Clean Wisconsin: Stop the Line 5 Pipeline
In this episode, Amy heads to Columbia County to separate fact from fiction about wind energy… and learn a thing or two about cows.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Jerry Cigelske, 2nd generation Wisconsin farmer
The Wisconsin Public Health Association recently adopted a resolution saying unregulated hyperscale data centers are a threat to public health in our state. In this episode, hear from one of the co-authors of that resolution to find out the health and energy consequences of data centers.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Community Health Manager, Clean Wisconsin
Resources for You:
Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Development
What does it take to get plastic out of your life? Well, unless you can go back in time 100 years, it's pretty much impossible. But what about *some* plastic? Just a place to start?
In this episode, we're talking about plastic waste in the grocery store and how to try to take control of the plastics that wind up in your shopping cart.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Brendon Smith, Marketing and Communications Director, Willy St. Co-op
Resources for You:
Plastic-Free July: 31 days of ideas
Microplastics in Our Bodies: Exposure and Potential Health Harms
In this episode, what the rain and snow are telling about PFAS pollution in the Upper Midwest—plus some information about new PFAS laws in Minnesota that could be a blueprint for Wisconsin.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Alexander Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant
Resources for you:
Amara's Law regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota)
Episode 62: What to Know about PFAS in Pesticides
PFAS Contamination in Public and Private Wells in Wisconsin (Health Research Brief)
Amy talks with a researcher who took a deep dive into the water impacts of AI data centers. What she found is something you're not hearing many tech companies talking about.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Hannah Richerson, Water Policy Manager, Clean Wisconsin
Resources for You:
New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Clear As Mud: Hidden Thirst Of Data Centers AI Data Centers In Wisconsin Will Use More Energy Than All Homes In State CombinedRight now there are three AI data centers under construction in Wisconsin. So how do you minimize the toll they will take on our environment and our energy bills?
On this episode, a deep dive into data center tariffs at the PSC and what they mean for you.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Brett Korte
Resources for You:
Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Devlopment
Related Episodes:
Episode 56: Data Center Secrets
Episode 59: Who's Paying for Data Centers?
Episode 60: Hey tech companies, your gas is showing!
Episode 63: How Caledonia, WI Defeated a Date Center
Episode 67: The Nuclear Option
The amazing story of one Wisconsin food that was banned, burned, disappeared from our plates - and the comeback that's being helped along by solar farms.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Lily Hislop, Savanna Institute
Resources for You:
Black Currants: A once-forbidden fruit
Farming for the Future: Charting a course for a new food system
It's not easy to locate and document Wisconsin's endangered species, but luckily Ernie and Betty White are on the case! They are two of Wisconsin's specially-trained conservation dogs, and they could be the secret to finding some of our state's most threated species.
Host:Amy Barrilleaux
Guests:Laura Holder, Owner, Conservation Dogs Collective
Betty White, Ernie, and Boxie
Resources for You:Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why.
Episode 11: Wisconsin's Vanishing Bee
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