In spite of a lack of scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of aerial fire retardant, in spite of revelations that show toxic heavy metals in fire retardant, and in spite of setbacks in federal court, Agriculture Department Secretary Brooke Rollins signed a $1.12 billion contract for Perimeter Solutions to provide aerial fire retardant for five years.
A statement from the Ag Department crows about the contract negotiations, which “align with President Trump’s common sense business mindset that ensures we are not being taken advantage of anymore.”
As the New York Times reported just before the deal was signed, “The entire supply of [aerial fire retardant] in the United States is controlled by a single company” — Perimeter Solutions, which has been the exclusive provider to the Forest Service since 2005.
The Department’s statement claims the new contract strengthens U.S. manufacturing “by keeping fire-retardant production made in America” and touts “hundreds of millions” in savings, even though history demonstrates that monopolies never produce cost savings for the customer.
Photo: Forest Service use of Phos-Chek fire retardant, produced exclusively by Perimeter Solutions, is ramping up in spite of problems with toxicity and questionable effectiveness.
