Solar's Hype Girl: Meet the advocate convincing Wisconsinites to let the sunshine in
Release Date: 04/28/2025
Why Wisconsin should be more like Texas!
The Defender
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
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Why Help on Forever Chemicals is Taking… Forever
The Defender
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:
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What did the EPA just do?
The Defender
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:
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How Caledonia WI Defeated a Data Center
The Defender
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:
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What to know about PFAS pesticides
The Defender
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:
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Goodbye Grocery Store?
The Defender
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:
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Hey Tech Companies, Your Gas is Showing!
The Defender
Don't look at the gas plant behind the curtain! If you feel like tech companies and energy utilities are gaslighting you with their assurances that AI data centers won't hurt our environment, you're probably right. In this episode, how AI is causing a fossil fuel boom in Wisconsin and the lawsuit just filed to try and stop it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Katie Nekola, General Cousnel, Clean Wisconsin Ciaran Gallagher, Climate & Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:
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Who's Really Paying for Data Centers?
The Defender
You may have heard, Wisconsin needs more power and we need it fast. In the next few years, AI data centers will cause an unprecedented surge in energy demand across our state. There are already large expensive new powerplants being built to help meet that demand with more to come. But the big question is, will Wisconsinites be left shouldering the cost? In this episode, the shocking energy needs of AI, why our power companies are rolling out the red carpet, and the lasting environmental and economic harms that could be left in the wake. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Tom Content, Citizens...
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How to protect the planet by doing nothing
The Defender
What if you could make a difference in the fight to protect our environment by doing nothing at all? In this episode, why fall is the perfect time to be lazy - for the planet. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elizabeth Braat, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Resources for You:
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Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit
The Defender
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:
info_outlineif you look around at houses, schools, churches--you’re probably seeing more and more solar panels on their rooftops. A lot of that is thanks to federal incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act that make solar more affordable. But those programs are now at risk of being cut, and tariffs could be pushing the low solar costs we’ve been seeing much higher. Fortunately, solar has a pretty determined advocate who’s spreading the word about how solar works for Wisconsin.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Elise Couillard, Couillard Solar Foundation
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