By now, you’re probably familiar with the term PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” Much has been made of PFAS in recent months, especially here in Maine, and it’s for good reason. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that were created in the early part of the 20th century, and since then have been found in common items we use in our day to day lives, like cookware, cleaning products, plastics, waterproof clothing and more. These chemicals are everywhere, and what has become increasingly clear in recent years is that they pose serious health risks to humans, ranging from developmental delays for children to an increased risk of cancer. While many people have been affected, Maine farmers have found themselves in an especially difficult position due to the outdated practice of spreading PFAS-laden wastewater sludge over fields and farmland. This practice that was once promoted by state agencies as a safe way to responsibly dispose of the wastewater byproduct has been shown to cause unsafe levels of PFAS in soil and drinking water.

My colleagues and I in Augusta recognize the serious threat these chemicals pose to all Maine people, and as chair of the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee, I have been proud to lead efforts to address PFAS contamination head on. In 2021, we invested $27 million to create 20 new positions and provide the equipment and training necessary to begin the cleanup and remediation of PFAS. The new positions will help to manage contaminated areas, supervise environmental testing and treat drinking water. This year we continued our work, and we passed a law to prohibit land application of sludge from wastewater treatment plants – the same practice that has contaminated so much farmland and devastated some agricultural businesses. Additionally, we made a huge investment in our fight by setting aside $60 million and establishing the new PFAS Trust Fund and corresponding Advisory Committee that will guide efforts to support impacted farmers.

This is where our work picks up today. Over the summer, I had the privilege of being named co-chair of the new Advisory Committee, and on Nov. 14 we will host our first working meeting. There’s much to be done: We need to determine how to best support Maine farmers who have been affected by this crisis, keep our drinking water safe, improve our state’s testing capabilities, and more. Alongside my colleagues on the committee and staff at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, we will meet on an ongoing basis over the coming months and years to ensure we’re doing all we can to protect Maine people from PFAS. I would encourage you to tune in to our meetings and weigh in. To stay up to date on our work or sign up for alerts, visit www.maine.gov/dacf/about/commissioners/pfasfund/advisory-committee.shtml.

Today, Maine is leading the country in researching and addressing PFAS contamination. There is much we still do not know; the scope of the problem is vast. However, I am confident that we have taken the right steps to allow us to learn more and deal with this crisis as best we can. I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and I look forward to continuing these efforts going forward.

If you have any questions about this work or anything else, please feel free to contact me by email at Stacy.Brenner@legislature.maine.gov or by phone at (207) 287-1515.

Sen. Stacy Brenner | 207-287-1515 | stacy.brenner@legislature.maine.gov

Stacy Brenner is serving her first term in the Maine Senate, representing Senate District 30, which includes Gorham, part of Buxton, and part of Scarborough. She is the co-owner of Broadturn Farm in Scarborough and is also a certified nurse-midwife. Aide: Evan Myers Evan.Myers@legislature.maine.gov.