Maine’s New PFAS in Products Law: A Rulemaking Update

In July 2021, the Maine Legislature passed LD 1503, An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution, requiring manufacturers of products with intentionally added PFAS to report these products to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) by Jan. 1, 2023. The law delegates rulemaking authority to the Maine DEP, and that process is
-> Continue reading Maine’s New PFAS in Products Law: A Rulemaking Update

Is Your Business Prepared for an Oil Spill?

Large or small, oil spills can endanger public health, wildlife, natural resources, drinking water, your reputation, and our economy. If you own a business, having an Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan and/or a Facility Response Plan (FRP) can help. To learn more about what goes into SPCCs and FRPs and who needs
-> Continue reading Is Your Business Prepared for an Oil Spill?

The 2021 Enforcement Summary is Here

Every year, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP), the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) publicly release a summary of notable enforcement actions they have taken throughout the year. Highlights from their 2021 round-up are included
-> Continue reading The 2021 Enforcement Summary is Here

An Update on PFAS in Maine

By now, most people have heard about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely known as “forever chemicals,” and the threats they pose to communities here in Maine and across the country. Over on the St.Germain blog, we’re going beyond the headlines to explain what PFAS are, why they’re a big problem with a difficult solution,
-> Continue reading An Update on PFAS in Maine

The New Phase I ESA Standard is Here. Here’s What You Need to Know.

On November 1, 2021, the ASTM International Committee on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action (ASTM Committee-50) approved a new standard for conducting Phase I ESAs. The ASTM E1527-21 (Standard) was approved by ASTM International; however, it has not yet been approved by the EPA, and the ASTM E1527-13 standard continues to be recognized
-> Continue reading The New Phase I ESA Standard is Here. Here’s What You Need to Know.

Stormwater Compliance: A Guide for Maine Businesses

Businesses play a big role in protecting Maine’s environment, including our land and wildlife, and stormwater management is a large part of that. On the St.Germain blog, we break down the complexities of proper compliance and explain how businesses can simplify the process – a win for the business and for Maine. Specifically, we cover:
-> Continue reading Stormwater Compliance: A Guide for Maine Businesses

Public Comment image

Maine Chapter 890, Designation of PFOS as a Priority Chemical

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has reposted Chapter 890 to a 30 day public comment period, with comments due November 4, 2019 by 5:00 PM. “Since the initial posting and the April 23 public hearing, the Department has amended the draft rule to clarify the products covered. Also since the original posting, the authority
-> Continue reading Maine Chapter 890, Designation of PFOS as a Priority Chemical

OSHA Releases Preliminary List of FY 2019 Most Cited Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the preliminary Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2019: 1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (6,010 violations)2. Hazard Communication (3,671 violations)3. Scaffolding (2,813 violations)4. Lockout/Tagout (2,606 violations)5. Respiratory Protection (2,450 violations)6. Ladders (2,345 violations)7. Powered Industrial Trucks (2,093 violations)8. Fall Protection –
-> Continue reading OSHA Releases Preliminary List of FY 2019 Most Cited Violations

Maine Department of Environmental Protection Proposes the Regulation of PFOS in Children’s Products

Two years ago St.Germain wrote about “emerging” contaminants known collectively as PFAS, a family of complex compounds primarily consisting of Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Since then there’s been a flurry of activity in Maine, with the latest being the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed regulation of PFOS in childrens products. Because
-> Continue reading Maine Department of Environmental Protection Proposes the Regulation of PFOS in Children’s Products

PFAS Regulations

In 2017 we wrote about “emerging” contaminants known as PFAS. Since then, Maine Governor Janet Mills established a task force, and there have been numerous news articles about these “forever chemicals” right here in Maine. We’ll continue to share with you how this issue may impact environmental due diligence, remediation and environmental health and safety
-> Continue reading PFAS Regulations