Wisconsin Senate passes lead pipes bill, allowing private water utility access to federal funding
According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Republican members of the state's Senate have narrowly passed a bill that will grant access to federal funds to the state's only private water utility, Superior Water, Light & Power Company.
The bill passed the Senate last week 17-16, and will head next to the state Assembly. The approval would make Superior Water, Light & Power Company eligible for loans under Wisconsin's Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. State loan programs have been bolstered by $15 billion in federal funding set aside by Congress for removal of lead pipes under the bipartisan infrastructure law. But state law bars privately owned water systems from receiving loan forgiveness.
Democrats used the bill to rail against GOP colleagues for recently stripping $200 million for lead line replacement under Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposal. Citing cuts to federal funding and programs, they sought to restore state funds in an amendment to the bill that failed.
Sen. Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove spoke out against the decision, stating that the government focus should be on funding publicly owned entities, prioritizing public health concerns rather than private entities' profits.
Democrats also raised the question of funding availability, given the number of federal funding cuts carried out in Q1 2025 by the Trump administration and DOGE.
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