Vermont lawmakers discuss plans to tackle PCBs in schools

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – What will it take to test all of Vermont’s schools for PCBs?

So far, Vermont has tested about a third of the state’s schools built before 1980, which may contain PCBs. 35 contained levels above the school action level, and 13 contained levels that need immediate action, like air filtration systems, or immediate repairs.

In front of key lawmakers, state environmental leaders say they need an additional $400,000 in an upcoming budget bill to continue testing areas of schools that need to be addressed, like classrooms.

“Being an optimist by nature, I’d like to believe that we will see lower percentages of affected schools as we work through this, but if there’s anything we’ve learned in this effort we’ve learned to expect the unexpected,” said Vermont Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore.

However, state lawmakers and the Scott Administration do not have a plan to fund PCBs past 2025. Vermont has had a moratorium on school construction aid since the Great Recession in 2008.

A key report is due next month to lawmakers outlining options for funding school upgrades.

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