Federal Bill Would Urge Cooperation on PFAS

Federal agencies would be encouraged to work with state governments in cleaning up perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances under legislation introduced by a bipartisan group within the Michigan congressional delegation.

The PFAS Federal Facility Accountability Act of 2018, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint), U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) and U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton), would require federal agencies to develop a plan with the affected state to address PFAS contamination found near a facility operated by that agency.

The agency would be encouraged to work with the state on testing and cleanup efforts.

"Here in Michigan, like many other states, the issues surrounding PFAS contamination in our water and soil pose a serious public health concern. We need a robust response to protect the wellbeing of our citizens, and our bipartisan bill will help increase coordination between federal and state authorities to cleanup and prevent exposure to these contaminants," Mr. Walberg said in a statement.

"We need an all-hands-on deck response to the growing PFAS contamination in Michigan. PFAS is a man-made chemical, and it will require a man-made solution from all of us working together. This bipartisan legislation will help states such as Michigan respond quickly when contamination is detected," Ms. Dingell said in the statement.

PFAS TESTING: The Department of Environmental Quality announced that, as of August 31, it had collected samples from 895 of the 1,841 water systems in the state and had results back from 491 of those. About 5 percent of the samples showed PFAS levels more than 10 parts per trillion but only the Parchment system showed levels more than the 70 parts per trillion state cleanup level.