Five AGs Opposed Revised Proposed Settlement with 3M over PFAS Contamination

California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of five attorneys general in filing an amicus letter expressing concerns about 3M’s revised proposed class action settlement over the company’s pollution of public drinking water with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” for their resistance to breaking down in the human body and the environment. In July 2023, AG Bonta led 23 AGs in opposing the initial proposed settlement. Following negotiations, a revised settlement was reached, but according to the five-AG amicus brief, the payout only covers a fraction of the damages caused by the company, and will likely result in water utilities passing costs on to ratepayers.