US House Committee Hears Industry Pushback on EPA PFAS Cleanup Rules
The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing where representatives from the water treatment and landfill industries argued for exemptions from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules on PFAS cleanup. These rules designate PFOA and PFOS, two of the most studied per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as hazardous substances under the federal Superfund law. This designation enables the EPA to require polluters to pay for cleanup efforts, although enforcement is not guaranteed.
Despite opposition and calls for reversal, the EPA reaffirmed the PFAS cleanup rule in September following the designation in 2024. Opponents of the rule warn that exempting utilities and landfills would eliminate incentives to address PFAS contamination in drinking water and wastewater, potentially diverting ratepayer funds away from infrastructure investments. However, utilities and landfills argue they should not be held liable because they are not the original sources of PFAS and often face substantial cleanup costs.
The hearing also saw participation from airports, the military, and the real estate industry, underscoring the broad interest in seeking exemptions and weakening the EPA's rule. PFAS includes at least 16,000 compounds, with PFOA and PFOS known for their persistence and adverse health effects, including links to cancer and organ damage.
Mitigation measures are available, such as granular activated carbon filters that remove PFOA and PFOS from water. Regulators in Michigan have identified major pollution sources since 2018 and mandated reductions, exemplifying possible approaches to managing PFAS contamination.
