PFAS Policy Summit

*** This event is fully booked. We cannot accept additional reservations ***

This month, we are hosting a top-level environmental, health, and PFAS-focused meeting for legislators, government officials, and experts in the East. We urge you to attend  in-person  the PFAS Policy Summit to be held in Providence, Rhode Island, on Thursday April 25 – Friday, April 26.

Over the past two decades, as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a topic of major public health, environmental, and agricultural concern, federal and state lawmakers have responded by introducing or passing measures intended to study or remediate PFAS, or to ban their use altogether. In 2023, the pace of those measures picked up considerably — especially among eastern states — with dozens of bills proposed or enacted in state legislatures. Looking to 2024 and beyond, we can expect to see more regulations aimed at studying and mitigating the effects of PFAS. But how can lawmakers be sure of which policies reflect best practices; which policies are working, and which policies are not?

During this policy summit participants will compare specific state policies and approaches to regulating PFAS while also hearing industry viewpoints. The goal will be to map out best practices from public health, environmental, and agricultural perspectives. In particular, policy sessions will consider the reduction or elimination of PFAS in consumer products; the implementation of source reduction programs; the introduction of PFAS substitutes; the funding of PFAS study and remediation programs; and how existing and proposed legislation and regulations might — or might not — be appropriate for their home states.

Email CSG East Policy Analyst Chris Kelleher at ckelleher@csg.org with questions.

AGENDA

Thursday, April 25

6 – 8 p.m.                    Dinner

Friday, April 26

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.          Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 a.m.          Welcoming Remarks

8:45 a.m.         What Is PFAS? Reviewing the Science

After opening remarks, attendees will briefly review definitions of the various PFAS compounds, where they are found, and associated risks.

9:00 a.m.         State Commission Insights

This panel brings together experts and policymakers that have spearheaded interagency efforts to form commissions to study PFAS within their respective states. How were the commissions formed and appointed? What role to the commissions have in the states? Are the commissions tasked with specific outcomes?

10:00 a.m.       Overview of State Policies

This panel provides a general overview of current state policies and regulatory frameworks governing PFAS among states in the Northeast, including standards that have been enacted or proposed for drinking water, groundwater, and consumer products. What bills have been passed in the region and what do they cover? What are the key differences and similarities among states’ approaches to regulating PFAS? What can be considered a best practice in terms of assessing risk, developing monitoring requirements and enforcement mechanisms, and fostering interagency collaboration and stakeholder engagement?

11:30 a.m.       Remediation Strategies and Collaborations in the Northeast

This panel aims to explore the latest advancements and collaborative efforts in PFAS remediation across the Northeast region. With PFAS presenting complex challenges of environmental, economic, agricultural, and public health, innovative remediation strategies and multi-stakeholder collaborations are essential to effectively confront these challenges. Panelists will share insights and experiences from a variety of sectors, offering perspectives on the diverse array of PFAS remediation policies and approaches currently being implemented in the region. Through case studies, best practices, and collaborative initiatives, attendees will gain a better understanding of today’s remediation policy landscape.

12:30 p.m.       Lunch

1:00 p.m.         Innovative Approaches

This forward-looking panel showcases groundbreaking and visionary approaches that are shaping the future of PFAS management, regulation, and remediation. Drawing upon the expertise of leading researchers, technology developers, and regulatory officials, the panel will delve into cutting-edge strategies and promising technologies that offer transformative possibilities for PFAS remediation and regulation, providing attendees with insight into the latest developments and emerging science that anticipate future PFAS policy approaches.

2:00 p.m.         Closing and Roundtable Discussion

Open discussion among all attendees to discuss lingering questions, key takeaways, and topics for future meetings.

3:30 p.m.         Departure

Email CSG East policy analyst Chris Kelleher at ckelleher@csg.org with questions or for the registration link and hotel information.

This meeting is generously sponsored by AdvaMed