New data suggests lead might have contaminated groundwater near a local airport in Dane County, reigniting a debate about selling leaded aviation fuel and whether there are viable alternatives.
At least three airports in the county — Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Middleton Municipal Airport and Waunakee Airport — sell leaded fuel for small planes. Leaded fuel for cars and trucks was banned in the United States in 1996. But over 200,000 smaller planes, called piston-engine aircraft, still require leaded fuel to prevent engine troubles.
The fight has been fiercest in Middleton, where local officials have pushed for years to end the use of leaded fuel. The airport is city-run but borders the town of Middleton and the town of Springfield…