In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed Amara’s Law – recently implemented environmental protections that prohibit the use of PFAS “forever chemicals” in everyday products. Starting in January of this year, these hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals can no longer be used in products like rugs, carpet, dental products, cookware, juvenile products, ski wax, menstrual products and upholstered furniture. By 2032, the state’s Pollution Control Agency will prohibit all avoidable PFAS use in commercial products.
Traces of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are thought to be present in nearly every living organism on Earth, due to their widespread use since the 1940s and their inability to break down naturally in the environment. They are in our soil, groundwater, air and wildlife. Studies have linked these chemicals to certain types of cancer, negative effects on reproductive health, organ failure, diminished immune systems and changes in cholesterol levels.
Minnesota is not only a national leader when it comes to our ban on PFAS, but we’re also a global leader. I have met with leaders and advocates from other countries – including Japan and Australia – who would like to see our policies implemented in their communities, and who are modeling work for their countries after what we have done in Minnesota. I am incredibly proud of our unprecedented efforts to protect Minnesota’s residents and environment. However, there is more work to be done.
While we are taking steps to prevent the introduction of more of these chemicals into our environment, we are now also tasked with containing and removing them from our water sources. This means investing in critical water treatment infrastructure like the water treatment project that Hastings is poised to begin construction on. Companies like 3M have spent years polluting our rivers, lakes, soil and groundwater, but have fallen short of fully compensating those impacted by their actions. This means cities like Hastings have been left to find other ways to pay for treating its municipal wells and provide clean drinking water to its residents. A hike in water rates is not fair to the people of Hastings and puts the burden on those who can least afford to pay to clean up this pollution – you. There are better ways to fund these improvements, and I’m working hard to ensure they are included in this year’s state budget.
To show my continued commitment to solving these issues, my first bills introduced this year would help Hastings get started on its shovel-ready water treatment project. Both SF549 and SF550 would provide funding to the City for this project, either through bonding or with general fund dollars. The failure to pass a bonding bill last session creates more urgency around this issue, but I have met with the co-chairs of the Senate Capital Investment Committee, and not only do they understand Hastings’ needs, they support an early bonding bill. This session, my top priority will be funding these projects and continuing to safeguard the health and safety of our friends, family and neighbors in our district.