Researcher: KLM Page 1 3/24/21
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 837
AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF PERFLUOROALKYL OR
POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES IN CLASS B FIREFIGHTING
FOAM.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person, local government, or state agency from
using a class B firefighting foam with intentionally added
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance (“PFAS”) in any amount
for training purposes. Under the bill, class B firefighting foam is used
to extinguish flammable liquid fires and PFAS is a class of fluorinated
organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon
atom.
The bill also prohibits, beginning April 1, 2021, using this foam for
any firefighting purposes unless (1) the fire is petroleum-based and (2)
the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
commissioner did not identify an alternative to the foam by January 1,
2021. Because the commissioner did not identify an alternative by that
date, the foam may still be used for petroleum-based fires under the
bill.
By October 1, 2021, the bill requires the DEEP commissioner to
develop or identify a take-back program for municipal PFAS sources
that applies best management practices for their disposal.
Lastly, the bill authorizes DEEP to enforce the bill’s provisions,
within available appropriations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
COMMITTEE ACTION
Environment Committee 2021SB-00837-R000126-BA.DOCX
Researcher: KLM Page 2 3/24/21
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 32 Nay 0 (02/26/2021)