Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled that state regulators can compel landowners to clean up PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals," before official hazardous substance designation. This 5-2 decision, favoring environmentalists, counters business groups arguing against pre-designation enforcement. The ruling upholds the state's "spills law," enabling quicker cleanup of PFAS contamination impacting Wisconsin's water and soil. While celebrated by environmental advocates and Governor Evers, industry groups criticize the decision as unfair and unworkable.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.