WASHINGTON -- The House Energy and Commerce committee has advanced the PFAS Action Act, which directs the Environmental Protection Agency to quickly reduce and remediate the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
According to the Environmental Working group (EG), The PFAS Action Act of 2021, introduced by Michigan Reps. Debbie Dingell (D), and Fred Upton (R), would create a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, designate PFAS as hazardous substances, limit industrial discharges and provide $200 million annually to assist water utilities and wastewater treatment facilities.
“We need deadlines to ensure that the EPA will take the necessary steps to reduce PFAS releases into our air, land and water, to filter PFAS out of tap water and to clean up legacy PFAS pollution, especially near Department of Defense facilities,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs. “We applaud Reps. Dingell and Upton for continuing to make PFAS pollution a priority.”
Under the PFAS Action Act, the EPA would be required to establish a national drinking water standard for the two most notorious PFAS chemicals – PFOA and PFOS – within two years. The Act would also require the designation of PFOA and PFOS chemicals as hazardous substances within one year and require the EPA to determine whether to list other PFAS within five years.
The legislation would also require “comprehensive PFAS health testing,” and require the EPA to place discharge limits on industrial releases of PFAS and provide $200 million annually for wastewater treatment.
In January 2020, the House passed an earlier version of the PFAS Action Act by a vote of 247 to 159, with backing from 24 Republicans. But then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blocked consideration of the bill.
“It’s time for the EPA to act,” Faber said. “The EPA has known PFAS were toxic since at least 1998 but has failed to protect us. EPA needs clear, comprehensive direction from Congress.”
