Today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH) announced their plans to reintroduce the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act to expand the reach of the Clean Water Act to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill would remedy the current absence of Environmental Protection Agency regulations on PFAS discharges into waterways by establishing effluent limitation guidelines for several polluting industries.

After the announcement, Earthjustice Legislative Counsel Christine Santillana issued the following statement:

“The health risks posed by PFAS contamination in our nation’s waterways to communities across the country are well documented, and we are grateful for this announcement to reintroduce critical legislation to stop contamination at its source. By establishing effluent standards for PFAS for several industries, we can hold polluters accountable and protect local communities from dangerous contamination. We applaud Senator Gillibrand and Representative Pappas for their leadership and plans to reintroduce this bill to protect our families and waterways from PFAS.”