Golden Votes to Protect Mainers from ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Fund Clean Up, End Production of PFAS
Over 30,000 instances of PFAS contamination reported in Maine at 244 sites
WASHINGTON — To help address dangers posed by "forever chemicals," or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) voted today to pass legislation that would help to remove PFAS from drinking water, put an end to the production of the chemicals, and make additional federal funding available to remove contamination. Golden, a member of the Bipartisan PFAS Task Force, is a cosponsor of thePFAS Action Act of 2019.
PFAS and other forever chemicals have been identified at 244 sites throughout Maine, including Loring Air Force Base, Houlton International Airport, Bangor International Airport, the Navy VLF radio station in Cutler, and the Bog Brook military training site in Gilead.
"No Mainer should have to worry about dangerous chemicals in their air, land, or water," said Congressman Golden. "Folks in our state have been harmed by ‘forever chemicals' for years now. Maine is taking decisive action to protect our citizens but the federal government has repeatedly failed to do its part. That would change with the legislation we passed today. This bill will attack the PFAS problem at its sources, while also providing funds to clean up sites that have already been contaminated."
Golden also successfully offered an amendment to the legislation which would help ensure provisions designed to protect firefighters and other first responders are protected from PFAS exposure are effective in the long term. The amendment passed on a bipartisan vote and would require an annual report to Congress from the EPA and U.S. Fire Administration to Congress about implementation and impact of the EPA's guidance to protect first responders from PFAS. The report would also include recommendations for how to reduce their risk going forward.
"Firefighters and other first responders already face down danger every day to keep us safe," continued Golden. "The last thing they need is to be put at risk by their own tools, such as PFAS in firefighting foam. This bill includes important measures to protect first responders from PFAS and my amendment will help make sure that, in the long term, these measures are effective at keeping firefighters safe."
Golden's amendment has the support of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine.
PFAS has been linked to a slew of negative health consequences, including cancer and problems with the immune system.
You can read the full text of the bill here, and Golden's amendment here.