BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 21, 2023
One of the chemicals categorized as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, has been found in an old airport hangar at the former Loring Air Force Base, which could delay the base’s largest redevelopment project in years. Washington D.C.-based DG Fuels plans to construct a $4 billion sustainable aviation fuel production facility on the former base. The company intends to lease 1,240 acres for the project which is being funded through the U.S. Department of Energy and commercial equity, DG Fuels CEO Michael Darcy said. The PFAS discovery raises legal questions about cleanup responsibilities if hazardous materials are found in the future. Data from the U.S. Air Force’s ongoing investigation of the site won’t be compiled before the start of construction on the DG Fuels facility in late 2024 or early 2025, creating uncertainty about the timing of the project.