The state’s environmental agency is drafting legislation to prod manufacturers to pay a portion of recycling costs, while cities and towns grapple with what to do with their recyclables now.
maine department of environmental protection
Maine plans to search out firefighting foam containing ‘forever chemicals’
Ultimately, the state could follow the lead of Massachusetts and other states that have launched take-back and disposal programs for older firefighting foam containing the toxic PFAS.
State says Maine milk passes tests for ‘forever chemicals’
But health advocates call for more testing for PFAS contamination on farms that fertilize with treated sludge.
Lewiston officials grapple with increased cost of disposing of sewage sludge
Sending all sludge directly to a landfill could increase annual costs by $500,000.
Lewiston stops sending fertilizer sludge to farms after testing high for contaminant
Sewage sludge from the Lewiston treatment plant, like many in Maine, has exceeded screening levels for at least one type of ‘forever chemical’ substance, forcing officials to decide what to do with the material.
Sick of industrial emissions, South Portland residents join air monitoring program
In response to EPA complaints against two petroleum tank farms, South Portland enlists residents to participate in a new air quality monitoring program.
Tribal sustenance fishing bill headed to Gov. Mills’ desk
The legislation would tighten Maine water quality standards in certain waterways with the long-term goal of protecting tribal members who exercise their sustenance fishing rights.
Senate passes bill calling for state to alert local officials about air quality violations
The measure was introduced after South Portland officials learned in March that a petroleum storage facility had been exceeding emissions limits for years.
Air quality monitoring to begin in South Portland next month
The program will address community concerns raised by a federal lawsuit that accused Global Partners LP of violating the Clean Air Act at its petroleum storage facility on the Fore River.
Initial test results reveal ‘forever chemicals’ showing up in fertilizer sludge
The findings are among the topics covered at the first meeting of a governor’s task force studying PFAS contamination in Maine.