Delegation pushes Navy to help with Brunswick chemical spill [Video]

Maine’s federal lawmakers are asking the U.S. Navy for help cleaning up last month’s accidental release of toxic firefighting chemicals that the Navy left behind at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, the largest such spill in Maine in at least 30 years.

In a joint letter Monday, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an independent, joined U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, and Jared Golden, D-2nd District, to ask Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro for a briefing on the Navy’s involvement in the cleanup at Brunswick Executive Airport.

“Our constituents are deeply concerned about the short- and long-term health and environmental impacts of this spill, as well as potential future incidents, since AFFF foam remains at the site,” the delegation wrote. “We ask for your commitment to coordinating with federal, state, and local partners in providing assistance.”

On Aug. 19, a fire suppression system with a deficient service record malfunctioned and accidentally discharged more than 51,000 gallons…