WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsProposal benefiting former lawmaker stalls

Proposal benefiting former lawmaker stalls

MADISON (WKOW) -- A proposed environmental law with potential financial benefits for a former lawmaker's company stalled amidst questions over the terms of the proposal.

The proposal establishes new standards for the products and processes used to clean school, state and UW campus buildings.  

While the proposal relies on Environmental Protection Agency standards and standards developed by green industry review firms in mandating cleaning approaches to reduce the release of volatile organic chemicals and other toxins, it identifies a specific private company in connection to cleaning schools.

"The bill also requires...in its initial rules the requirement to use a cleaning system approved by the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI)...under its Children and Schools standard,"   states an analysis of the assembly bill by the legislative reference bureau.

GEI is an Atlanta-based, environmental non-profit group.

Available information indicates only two Wisconsin firms currently carry the necessary GEI certification, including Racine-based Kranz Green, owned by former democratic state lawmaker Jeff Neubauer.

The proposal's author is Racine democratic representative Cory Mason.

Assembly natural resources committee chairperson Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison) told WKOW27 News a planned committee vote on the proposal was delayed Wednesday.

Black said the intent of the legislation to protect schoolchildren and others using public buildings by increasing environmental cleaning standards is good, but said aspects of the bill need to be changed.

"There was a number of questions that came up."

Black said Greenguard's exclusivity is one of the issues with the bill's current terms.

"That might not be appropriate to limit it to that one certifying agency."

The bill's terms set the effective date for compliance with GEI standards in school building cleaning two years after enactment.

Even GEI executive director Henning Bloech told WKOW27 News the identification of his firm as the sole certifying company for school cleaning work was unnecessary.

"I think it is overboard."

Bloech told WKOW27 News the approach to upgrading environmental standards should be more "inclusive,"  with environmental-certifying firms with different specialties serving in complimentary roles.

School adminstrators alliance spokesperson John Forester said the proposal in its present form fails to allow districts to build on existing green cleaning practices.

"It's highly proscriptive."

Mason did not respond to a request from WKOW27 News for comment on the terms of the environmental proposal.

Neubauer's firm touts its status in the school cleaning industry on its website.

"We are one of the first to use products and processes certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute."

Neubauer did not return a phone call from WKOW27 News seeking comment.

Milwaukee-based Clean Power executive vice president Barb Whitstone said her firm carries the necessary GEI certification to clean schools as specified in the legislative proposal.

Clean Power's website describes GEI certification's role in the firm's cleaning work of a Madison commercial building, but references no school building cleaning.   Bloech was unable to provide WKOW27News with a list of Wisconsin firms with GEI certification under the company's schools standards.

Forester said the current proposal's certification terms could force districts to buy new vacuums, scrubbers and other equipment to be in compliance, at a time when school district budgets are tight.

Madison metropolitan school district spokesperson Ken Syke said district cleaning is already certified by Green Seal, Inc.   

The firm is included in the environmental proposal requirements, but does not substitute for additional GEI certification.

In a statement, Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) said the proposal was about "big government,"   and chastised its terms, including "only approved toilet paper, paper towels or napkins be used in public facilities."

"We do not want our children to have unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals, especially when it can be avoided,"   Black said.

Black expressed confidence legislative amendments could strengthen the bill.

Online reporting by Tony Galli.

tgalli@wkowtv.com