Hudson Applauds PFAS Regulations Milestone

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed regulatory determinations for two of the most prominent PFAS chemicals under their PFAS Action Plan. As a leader on addressing PFAS chemicals including GenX and contamination in the Cape Fear River, Rep. Hudson applauded the EPA's announcement as a milestone.

"I'm glad to see the EPA move forward with this important milestone in implementing its PFAS Action Plan and urge the EPA to continue working on determinations for the entire class of PFAS Chemicals, including GenX," said Rep. Hudson. "I'll continue to work with the Trump administration and my colleagues in Congress to make sure citizens near the Cape Fear River and throughout our district have access to safe drinking water."

Yesterday's announcement by the EPA said the agency is proposing to regulate two contaminants, PFOS and PFOA, and is seeking public comment and information on other PFAS substances. This action is the latest step in the EPA's PFAS Action Plan.

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act. As a leader on efforts to tackle GenX and address contamination in North Carolina, Rep. Hudson co-sponsored the legislation and successfully added two amendments to the bill to ensure communities impacted by contamination of the chemical GenX are eligible for grants and to direct the EPA to investigate methods to prevent contamination by GenX of surface waters, including source waters used for drinking. This legislation, along with the EPA's current efforts, will ensure cleaning up PFAS chemicals remain a priority.

More information on the EPA's announcement can be found here.

In September 2019, after consistent pressure from Rep. Hudson, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will begin an investigation to determine what actions the EPA took to verify compliance with requirements of the 2009 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Premanufacture Notice Consent Order with DuPont [Chemours] to prevent release of the chemical GenX into the Cape Fear River basin. This investigation came after Rep. Hudson questioned then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in April 2018 if GenX was used in a manner that was incompatible with the consent agreement under the TSCA. To watch this questioning, click here.

Rep. Hudson continues to be on the front lines of this issue. Earlier this year, he met with EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Dave Ross to discuss the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan. This action plan followed the EPA's draft toxicity assessment which was released in November 2018 to gather public input.

In September 2018, during a Subcommittee hearing to examine PFAS, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden applauded Rep. Hudson's leadership saying, "I understand, from Mr. Hudson, that a similar situation exists in his state and I appreciate his efforts to help North Carolinians." In addition, Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus said, "Many of us are familiar with these substances because of the work of our colleagues, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Upton, and Mr. Hudson, in their districts and states." Click here to watch Rep. Hudson's opening statement during the Subcommittee hearing. The transcript and more information on that hearing can be found here.

On August 14, 2018, Rep. Hudson arranged for the EPA to hold a PFAS community engagement event in Fayetteville. Rep. Hudson invited the EPA to hold the community engagement event so the EPA can hear directly from constituents to take action on PFAS. Once the event was confirmed, he invited Michael S. Regan, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, to attend the PFAS community engagement event in Fayetteville to further coordinate efforts between federal, state, and local leaders. To read that letter, click here.

Prior to the event, on June 21, 2018, Rep. Hudson sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt encouraging the EPA to visit North Carolina, specifically Fayetteville in the 8^th District, as part of the EPA's continued work on PFAS. To read that letter, click here.

On March 6, 2018, Rep. Hudson sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt to encourage a thorough examination of GenX that would help develop a comprehensive plan for containment and removal of GenX. To read the letter, click here. The agency responded on April 24, 2018, saying, "A key priority for the EPA is to further the understanding of human health impacts of PFAS to support states and local communities. The EPA is currently developing human health toxicity information for GenX that will provide a scientific basis for states and communities to set or refine public health goals." To read that letter, click here.

This letter followed Rep. Hudson's questioning of Administrator Pruitt at a Subcommittee on Environment hearing on December 7, 2017. To watch those questions, click here.