Legal Victory! Court Dismisses Citation in Shorewood Beach Trespassing Case
Today, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court dismissed a trespassing citation issued to MEA client Paul Florsheim for walking along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the Village of Shorewood. The court found that Mr. Florsheim’s walk was a protected activity under the public trust doctrine and that the Village could not enforce its trespass ordinance against him.
New documentary follows Wisconsin youth who are suing the state over climate change
A new documentary film brings viewers into the lives of 15 young Wisconsinites who are suing the state over climate change. They share what they love about the places they call home, what they hope to protect, and why they believe they deserve a chance to defend their health and future in court.
LEGAL VICTORY! State regulators must strengthen environmental oversight of Pierce County livestock operation
MEA clients in Pierce County have won a major victory in a three-year fight to protect their community from the impacts of a major expansion at Ridge Breeze Dairy. On August 24, an administrative law judge ruled that a DNR permit allowing the farm to expand its herd to more than 6,000 cows failed to ensure compliance with Wisconsin’s groundwater quality standards.
Legal victory! Judge orders release of information about energy use at Meta’s Beaver Dam data center
This week, a Dane County Circuit Court sided with MEA in a dispute over the public’s right to know how the unprecedented energy needs of hyperscale data centers will impact Wisconsin. The court ruled that the Public Service Commission acted unlawfully when it denied a public records request seeking information about energy use at Meta’s Beaver Dam data center and ordered that the information be released.
Protecting Public Rights in an Age of Privatization: A Talk by MEA Attorney Michael Greif
Join MEA and the Door County Environmental Council for a timely discussion on MEA’s legal work related to shoreline access and data centers. Attorney Michael Greif will discuss the importance of transparent government decision-making and why protecting public rights is essential to safeguarding the state’s waters and natural resources. Attend in person or virtually.
MEA Welcomes Senior Staff Attorney Tressie Kamp
Midwest Environmental Advocates is thrilled to welcome Tressie Kamp to our team as Senior Staff Attorney. Tressie’s experience in environmental enforcement, water policy, and public interest litigation makes her an incredible asset to our team. We’re excited to welcome her and know her leadership will strengthen our work on behalf of communities across Wisconsin.
Meet MEA’s summer law clerks
Thanks to the generosity of donors who support our named clerkships, Midwest Environmental Advocates is able to welcome a new class of law clerks each summer. MEA clerks work alongside our attorneys on the environmental cases and policy issues shaping Wisconsin’s future.
MEA and partners file new legal action over stream crossing approvals for Line 5 reroute
This week, the Bad River Band, Midwest Environmental Advocates and other partner organizations filed a new lawsuit in our ongoing fight to prevent the construction of the Line 5 reroute. We filed the lawsuit after the DNR unlawfully issued permit approvals allowing Enbridge to do work at four stream crossings in Ashland County.
DNR reversed course on a massive data center after pushback from developers. MEA is fighting for answers.
A new lawsuit filed by MEA on behalf of the Sierra Club shows the extent to which tech companies and data center developers may be influencing decisions that impact Wisconsin’s environment.
MEA and Partners Receive Community Change-Maker Award for PFAS Work
MEA is honored to be recognized by Community Shares of Wisconsin as a recipient of the 2026 Community Change-Maker Award for our work to address PFAS contamination. We share the award with our partners at River Alliance of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Conservation Voices. We invite you to celebrate with us on September 17!