Bangor Studio/Membership Department
63 Texas Ave.
Bangor, ME 04401

Lewiston Studio
1450 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 04240

Portland Studio
323 Marginal Way
Portland, ME 04101

Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
© 2025 Maine Public
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Lawmakers to propose bills this legislative session that address toxic firefighting foam

Picnic Pond in Brunswick was left covered in firefighting foam containing harmful PFAS chemicals after a fire suppression system accidentally discharged at the nearby former Brunswick Naval Air Base.
Steve Walker
/
Courtesy photo
Picnic Pond in Brunswick was left covered in firefighting foam containing harmful PFAS chemicals after a fire suppression system accidentally discharged at the nearby former Brunswick Naval Air Base.

The spill of firefighting foam containing PFAS at the former Brunswick Naval Air station last summer is prompting a closer look at PFAS concentrate storage in Maine.

The spill of firefighting foam containing PFAS at the former Brunswick Naval Air station last summer has lawmakers developing bills for this legislative session that address toxic foam remaining at the spill site, and also PFAS concentrate in storage across the state.

Lawmaker Dan Ankeles represents Brunswick Landing where the spill occurred. At a meeting with Friends of Casco Bay on Friday, he said one bill will ensure that the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority on the site can no longer store any firefighting foam on property it owns or leases.

"Our preference as a community is that this be gone. It needs to get away from all of these residential areas, sensitive habitats and working waterfronts," Ankeles said.

A second bill, he said, would create a statewide inventory of PFAS concentrate of 5 gallons or more, while a third would establish a take-back collection and disposal program for that inventory.

"That sets up this take back program over time through DEP and in consultation with the state Fire Marshal's Office. You set up collection points throughout the state," Ankeles said.
"We still have to talk about how we dispose of this stuff in an environmentally sensitive way."

Sen. Mattie Daughtry is also working on the legislation, according to Ankeles.