Members of the Albany County Legislature applauded the Governor and State officials for passing legislation that bans the burning of firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals.

“This year, the Albany County Legislature took action in the fight for our environment by passing the Clean Air Law. We applaud our colleagues in the State Legislature, and Governor Andrew Cuomo, for continuing the fight against emerging contaminants like PFAS, and protecting the health and safety of everyone in our communities,” Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce said.

“I am very happy that the Governor has signed this bill into law. This legislation will serve to protect the health and safety of the residents of Albany County. I commend Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman John McDonald for sponsoring this important legislation,” Dennis Feeney, Majority Leader of the Legislature, stated.

“Thank you to Governor Cuomo for signing this bill and Assemblyman McDonald and Senator Breslin for their steadfast advocacy on PFAS which resulted in this piece of legislation,” stated Legislator Bill Ricard, who represents Legislative District 17. “The health and safety of those that we represent is always of upmost importance. This legislation goes a long way in ensuring that for constituents we all represent.”

Legislator William Reinhardt, who was the sponsor of the Clean Air bill, stated, “As the lead sponsor of Local Law B, a recently passed Albany County law to prohibit waste burning, such as certain hazardous wastes, solid wastes and tires, so as to protect the clean air of Albany County, I would like to commend the State for acting to ban the burning of firefighting foam in Albany County. This is a highly toxic chemical that endangers public health as a contaminant of the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Another step that New York State can take to protect our local air and water is to have the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) refuse to permit the burning of old tires, and redouble efforts to reuse, repurpose and recycle tires, all of which are preferable to tire burning according to DEC's own guidelines. This effort by DEC would find a willing partner in the Albany County Legislature as we seek to stimulate green jobs in the Capital District while protecting the air we all breathe.”