WGAN Morning News - SPAN Expresses Support of LD 1214 in Maine
On May 8, Kevin Fay, Executive Director from SPAN, Sustainable PFAS Action Network, joined The WGAN Morning News radio host Matthew Gagnon to discuss PFAS policy solutions and proposed legislation in Maine.
On behalf of SPAN, Fay expressed support of LD 1214, also known as “An Act to Clarify the Laws to Combat Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances”. The proposed bill tailors the definition of PFAS in the underlying law and would remove the categorical prohibition on the distribution of all PFAS-containing products without any consideration given to whether a specific product presents a risk to human health or the environment or may be of vital importance to society.
“The bill is important because the PFAS situation in Maine is like other states around the country. PFAS is at the base of the 21st century economy including clean energy, medical products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, aerospace, and automotive manufacturing,” said Fay when asked about LD 1214.
Fay further discussed the key components of LD 1214 including that it would narrow the definition, delay the reporting requirements recognizing there's a federal rulemaking underway to develop a reporting program, and eliminate the 2030 automatic product ban requirement.
“The law that was passed two years ago [referencing the 20230 ban in Maine] simply went too far, too much overreach, too broad of a definition, too vague a concept in terms of how to create a reporting program and how to create a regulatory program that's going to cover 100,000 products throughout the economy.”
Fay communicated that high-tech industries that rely on these compounds are very committed to promoting and developing sustainable management policies, and at the same time, expressed the need for identification and remediation of contaminated sites in Maine.
Listen to Audio interview here.
ABOUT SPAN
Formed in 2021, SPAN members recognize that America’s innovators and industries depend on the responsible management of PFAS compounds. The organization supports science- and risk-based policy approaches that recognize the unique differences of these compounds. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified more than 10,000 materials that are likely to meet the broadest definition of PFAS. However, the number of compounds currently commercially manufactured or used in the United States today is closer to 700. Recognizing the essential role of PFAS compounds in enabling economic prosperity, delivering lifesaving equipment and medicine, climate change mitigation, and national security, among many other important applications, SPAN is committed to their sustainable use and responsible management.
More information about SPAN and industries they support is available by visiting www.span.org.
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