Legislative Campaigns
PFAS Impacted Farmers Hold Press Conference in Michigan
Yesterday, PFAS impacted farmers from across the country are gathered to speak to the media about what the contamination has meant for their livelihoods and their businesses in a press conference. Impacted farmers and policy experts will speak about the economic and health impacts of the contamination of farmland with the so called ‘forever chemicals.’ Speakers…
Read MoreRelief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act: The Importance of Supporting the Farmlands
Farmlands across the country are an important part of our everyday lives. They sustain life by providing us with the food that we need to survive. They also provide shelter for wildlife, help control flooding, maintain air quality, and protect wetlands and watersheds. Maine is no stranger to PFAS contamination and our struggle is linked…
Read MoreInternship Reflection and 2023 Legislative Cycle
For the past few months I had the opportunity to work with Defend Our Health as an intern, where I focused on supporting priority bills in Maine’s 2023 legislative session. With my background in environmental health, and my current work as a public health analyst and a Physician’s for Social Responsibility Next Generation Climate Ambassador,…
Read MorePFAS Fund Administration Plan Officially Approved
On July 10th, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced that the PFAS Fund Advisory Committee adopted the Plan for Administration of the Fund to Address PFAS Contamination. According to the DACF, this newly adopted bill will provide direct support to PFAS-impacted farmers, purchase and manage PFAS-contaminated agricultural land, and fund research to…
Read MoreMinnesota Becomes the Second State to Ban PFAS – With A Little Help From Maine
Since 2021, Maine has been the first and only state in the nation to ban the use of ‘forever chemicals’ in all products. Until now! On May 17, 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed an environment and energy package, HF 2310 “Environment, Natural Resources, Climate, and Energy Finance and Policy Bill,” which includes a total ban…
Read MoreDefend Our Health Organizes Advocates in Support of LD 1645
Yesterday, Defend joined legislators, constituents, and health activists as they testified in support of LD 1645 “An Act to Reduce Plastic Packaging Waste” introduced by Rep. Lori Gramlich. The day began with a press conference held by Defend, as reported by WABI 5 News. During the press conference, executive director, Mike Belliveau, urged that swift…
Read More