Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Annie Kuster (NH-02), who are both members of the bipartisan PFAS Task Force, introduced legislation that would regulate the discharge of PFAS within United States' waterways. The Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act will reduce PFAS discharge and hold polluters accountable by adding PFAS to the Clean Water Act’s Toxic Pollutants List, allowing the EPA to regulate its release in our water systems.
“From the health and environmental concerns at Pease and the surrounding communities on the Seacoast to the industrial contamination in Merrimack, it is clear that we need to have tougher regulations of these toxic chemicals,” said Congressman Pappas. “The Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act takes a critical step in holding polluters accountable and establishing proactive limits for PFAS discharge as we work to better understand PFAS and support families who have been exposed. As determined advocates and community leaders across New Hampshire continue to fight for cleaner water, I am proud to represent them in Washington and ensure their concerns translate into results for Granite State families.”
“Every community across our nation should have access to safe, clean water,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Toxic PFAS chemicals jeopardize the health and wellbeing of families across the Granite State and our country. We must rise to the challenge by holding polluters accountable and supporting comprehensive solutions to keep dangerous pollutants out of our nation’s waterways. The Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act represents an important step towards ensuring all Americans have access to safe drinking water.”
Representatives Chris Pappas and Annie Kuster have taken a leadership role in fighting for better standards, increased investment, and a stronger national focus on the issue of PFAS contamination. The Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act builds upon efforts to address PFAS by ensuring there would be protective limits on those who are still discharging PFAS into our nation’s waterways. Congressman Pappas also led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the PFAS Registry Act to create a registry through which veterans can access updates and health information in addition to co-sponsoring the bicameral VET PFAS Act to extend VA benefits to veterans who have been impacted by PFAS contamination on military installations.