Dear John,
When it comes to dealing with toxic PFAS pollution, Maine is a leader.
We were the first state to ban PFAS from virtually all consumer products, our drinking water standards are some of the strongest in the country, and the state pays for testing and treatment of residential wells contaminated by sludge spreading.
While there is still an ongoing PFAS crisis in our state – thousands of acres of farmland remain contaminated and wastewater remediation is costly and logistically challenging – our state’s lawmakers have stepped up with strong legislation to address contamination and limit exposure.
Last month, we built on this legacy when one of our 2025 priorities with the Environmental Priorities Coalition, a bill to help Maine communities safely dispose of PFAS, became law. LD 222 passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support last session, but, with an overwhelming number of bills needing review, it went unsigned by the Governor. It became law without her signature at the start of this session last month.
This new law is in response to the disastrous PFAS firefighting foam spill in Brunswick in 2024. It will support communities with the funds and resources they need to safely collect and remove this toxic firefighting foam to prevent another spill and protect Maine people and the environment from the harmful effects of PFAS exposure.
We are especially grateful to Representative Dan Ankeles of Brunswick for sponsoring this legislation and to the many members, activists, partners, and lawmakers who helped guide it through the legislature!
There is still much work to be done on PFAS testing and management, but Maine has made great strides to address this crisis.
In solidarity,
Sarah
P.S. In case you missed it, check out this explainer video that my colleague, Keith, just released sharing why PFAS contamination is such an important issue and how we can continue working to address it.
