Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today applauding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing a new rule which would designate the two most common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), otherwise known as Superfund.
Earlier this month, Pallone joined Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) in calling on EPA Administrator Michael Regan to take this action. Legislative language that would designate “forever chemicals” under Superfund was also included in Dingell’s PFAS Action Act, which passed the House last year.
“Today the Biden EPA is once again fulfilling its mission to protect Americans’ health and taking necessary, meaningful action to clean up PFAS contamination across the country. With this announcement, the tens of millions of Americans who live near a PFAS-contaminated site can finally rest easier knowing that help is on the way. This is the kind of leadership and care for public health our communities deserve, and I commend Administrator Regan for continuing to prioritize the best interests of the American people over those of corporate polluters. That this proposed rule ensures communities will finally get boots on the ground — and that polluters will pay the bill — is particularly laudable
“This is especially welcome news for environmental justice communities, who have endured the scourge of toxic PFAS contamination for far too long. I look forward to working with EPA to ensure this critical protection gets over the finish line.”
Original source can be found here.
