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Official says H542 would pause statewide PCB testing in pre‑1980 schools, require state funding for confirmed remediation
Summary
State counsel Michael Green told the Senate Education Committee that H542 would stop the ANR’s statewide PCB indoor‑air testing mandate for pre‑1980 schools, continue state funding for remediation where schools previously exceeded action levels, and require reports from ANR and the Department of Health; committee members pressed about liability, funding shortfalls and comparability with federal standards.
Michael Green, testifying as staff counsel, told the Senate Education Committee on March 24 that H542 would pause the state’s mandated indoor‑air PCB testing for pre‑1980 public and recognized independent schools but keep a state commitment to fund investigation, remediation and removal where schools already tested above the state’s school action levels.
Green summarized the program history: session law previously required ANR to inventory and test older schools, the Legislature set aside funding in earlier years and moved deadlines, and the state has funded some remediations (including a prior $16 million allocation to Burlington). He said roughly 328 schools built or renovated before 1980 are subject to the…
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