Legislation mandating the Environmental Protection Agency to declare two polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, as hazardous substances eligible for EPA Superfund cleanup resources passed the U.S. House on Wednesday, July 21 by a vote of 241-183.
The legislation, which also would implement a requirement that polluters pay for remediation of these hazardous substances, now heads for the Senate.
Passage of this bill, H.R. 2467, comes at a critical time, said Rep, Don Young, R-Alaska, who voted for the legislation.
There is a broad consensus that exposure to PFAS chemicals poses a risk to human health, Young said.
“Too many Alaskan communities, particularly those in close proximity to military bases, have faced challenges in remediating PFAS contamination,” Young said. “For years, several Alaskan communities have been forced to drink bottled water following PFAS contamination. Very frankly, that is wrong.”
This legislation builds on the accomplishments of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 and is another important step toward ensuring our communities a future free of PFAS exposure, Young said.
