Lawmakers consider PFAS rules and tighter biosolids monitoring
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Summary
1000 Friends presenters said several bills would require DEP screening for PFAS, restrict firefighting foam use, and add testing and record‑keeping for biosolids; two limited bills would limit PFAS‑containing foam to emergency use and require wastewater facilities to test for PFAS in biosolids.
Panelists at a 1000 Friends webinar described a cluster of bills addressing forever chemicals (PFAS) and biosolids handling that have gained attention this session.
"They would allow DEP to implement screening and targets until the EPA sets those standards," a presenter said of the PFAS bills, which also seek to ensure existing grant funds can be used to clean up contaminated sites and to restrict when firefighting foam containing PFAS may be used.
Two narrower measures — House Bill 1019 and Senate Bill 1230 — would limit aqueous film‑forming foam that contains PFAS to emergency use and direct the Department of Environmental Protection to assist with phase‑out costs. Presenters said these bills also would require larger wastewater treatment facilities to periodically test effluent and biosolids for PFAS.
Panelists described pending biosolids bills that would add recordkeeping and application standards for Class AA biosolids (HB 1245/SB 1294) and that would restrict land application of Class B biosolids when a higher‑treatment facility is within 50 miles (HB 1285/SB 1474). Presenters said these proposals reflect concern about managing biosolids without sufficient monitoring and clearer disposal standards.
Presenters said they support bills that increase testing and transparency, and they urged attention to the interplay between biosolids rules and agricultural or land‑application practices.
