Mental Health Fund Established for Mainers Affected by PFAS
A $600,000 program to provide therapy and other services to Mainers impacted by PFAS contamination has been approved.
Suicide rates are three and a half times higher for farmers, and anxiety caused by PFAS contamination can play a role. This program will help make counseling more affordable and accessible to those who need it.
The program is open to any farmers with soil or water PFAS contamination above state limits, or non-farmers with well water containing over 4 parts per trillion of PFAS. Counseling sessions are expected to start next summer.
Source: Portland Press Herald
MaineDEP to Hire a Contractor to Research Climate Costs In the State
Following the passage of the Climate Superfund Bill, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MaineDEP) has announced plans to hire a contractor tasked with assessing how much climate damage has cost the state from 1994 to 2024.
This is another important step in holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damage. A draft report is due by July 2027, and the final report will be released by the end of next year.
Source: Maine Public
Over 9,000 Gallons of Firefighting Foam Found In Maine Fire Stations
A new study by the Office of the State Fire Marshal has found over 9,000 gallons of PFAS-contaminated firefighting foam across the state. About one third of the 120 fire stations surveyed have this foam.
In some stations like the one in Owls Head, clean up costs are estimated to be around $10,000, but costs are much higher in places like Howland and Presque Isle, with estimates around $17,000 and $80,000, respectively.
In total, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection estimates it will cost $500,000 to clean up all the firefighting foam in the state.
Source: Portland Press Herald
