Maine compromise would exempt some industries from ban on ‘forever chemicals’

By Penelope Overton | Portland Press Herald | March 6, 2024

Read the full article by Penelope Overton (Portland Press Herald)

"State regulators have introduced a compromise plan to regulate the sale of products containing forever chemicals.

The proposal by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection would exempt some federally regulated industries such as the automotive, aeronautical and defense sectors from an impending 2030 ban on the sale of products that contain forever chemicals, even if a safer chemical alternative is available.

The proposed amendment to the state’s existing forever chemicals law would exempt some of Maine’s major manufacturers, including Bath Iron Works, C&L Aviation of Bangor and Idexx of Westbrook, some of which have threatened to move work out of state or even leave if the 2022 law wasn’t changed."