Minnesota budget includes $45 million to reduce 'forever chemicals'

ST. PAUL — Two Minnesota state agencies are giving an update on their efforts to reduce the impact and use of forever chemicals in the state.

Officials from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Health highlighted the more than $45 million in Gov. Tim Walz's One Minnesota budget request focusing on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs, during a press conference Thursday, March 23.

The money would go toward supporting water monitoring and fish contamination assessments, helping businesses reduce the use of PFAs in their products, and addressing drinking water systems that have been contaminated, according to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Assistant Commissioner Kirk Koudelka.

"MPCA will also use these dollars to start investigations, to find responsible parties to help with the cleanup work, and also work to sample private wells where we have areas of concern," he said.

Minnesota Department of Health Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff said the money would also expand the sampling program looking for PFAs in fish, "ensuring that for anglers like me, fish consumption guidance is kept up to date."

The funding would also go toward adding 13 staff members at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency who would focus specifically on PFAs.