Maine Monitor speaks to MacRae about upcoming Juniper Ridge Landfill leachate study
The Maine Monitor spoke to Jean MacRae, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Maine, about LD 1911, a bill that would redirect much of the state’s PFAS-contaminated sludge to the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill, located in Old Town near the Penobscot Reservation. Sevee & Maher Engineering has been hired to conduct a study of the leachate treatment options and costs, but some bill proponents worry that the company’s ties to the landfill will prevent the review from being objective, according to the report. “In general, the consulting industry doesn’t publicize their knowledge … because they can’t bill for that time, and it doesn’t help them competitively. So as in many situations where specialized knowledge is involved, it is difficult (and more costly) to get a really independent view on the matter,” MacRae said. The Bangor Daily News and Maine Public shared the Maine Monitor report.