With funds running out, Maine is at a PFAS crossroads

By Penelope Overton | Portland Press Herald | January 27, 2025

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

"Over the last decade, Maine has spent more than $100 million as it became a national leader in the fight against harmful forever chemicals, but dwindling funds will soon force state officials to make difficult choices about whom to help and whom to turn away.

In a legislative briefing Wednesday, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Melanie Loyzim didn’t ask for more funds to find, study, or clean up perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Instead, she asked for help deciding who should benefit from the money it has left.

“I’m asking you to help us make the difficult decisions on who should and who will not receive services from the state,” Loyzim told members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee at the start of a three-hour multiagency presentation."