On February 24, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 719 – Sewage Sludge – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances – Regulation with amendments.
This bill places new limitations on the use of certain wastewater treatment byproducts that exceed specified perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) thresholds.
New restrictions on the use of biosolids based on PFAS thresholds raise significant questions about cost allocation, ratepayer impacts, and technical feasibility. With utilities primarily funded through user fees, major compliance upgrades could translate into substantial rate increases without clear funding mechanisms. MACo is working collaboratively with stakeholders to refine the bill so that PFAS protections are both effective and financially sustainable for local communities.
SB 719 would limit or prohibit the use of biosolids based on defined
PFAS thresholds. As the primary operators of much of Maryland’s public water and wastewater infrastructure, counties are on the front lines of responding to PFAS contamination and protecting public health. A central policy challenge, however, is determining how compliance costs are allocated—between residential ratepayers and responsible parties. County concerns generally fall into two categories: ratepayer impacts and implementation feasibility.
SB 719’s cross-file, HB 925, was heard on February 25 in the Environment and Transportation Committee. Dominic Butchko testified in support of this bill with amendments.
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