Hudson Hosts EPA Administrator in Fayetteville, Urges Action on GenX
August 25, 2020
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – At the invitation of U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler was in Fayetteville today to discuss updates on addressing PFAS chemicals. At a bipartisan roundtable, Rep. Hudson urged the EPA to complete a final toxicity assessment of GenX and discussed his most recent efforts to combat PFAS chemicals, including GenX, through two amendments he secured in the latest appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to study the relationship between PFAS exposure and COVID-19, and provide $2.4 million for the EPA to develop regulations to control discharge of PFAS in surface waters. This was the second time Rep. Hudson has hosted the EPA in Fayetteville to discuss PFAS.
"People in our community are angry, they are afraid, and we want answers," said Rep. Hudson. "For years, I have been their voice and fought to get answers and find solutions to our GenX contamination. I first invited the EPA to Fayetteville in 2018 so they could hear directly from our community on this issue. I hosted today's discussion to continue that dialogue and allow our local representatives to engage directly with the EPA Administrator."
Rep. Hudson hosts a roundtable in Fayetteville with EPA Administrator Wheeler and members of the community
At the event, Administrator Wheeler announced the new Innovative Ways to Destroy PFAS Challenge, which is a partnership between federal and states agencies seeking detailed plans for a non-incineration method to destroy PFAS in concentrated aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a type of firefighting foam. Rep. Hudson applauded the initiative which is part of the PFAS Action Plan — the most comprehensive cross-agency plan ever to address an emerging chemical of concern. Administrator Wheeler also touched on the partnerships that have been formed since the PFAS Action Plan was announced, which have led to additional collaboration, cutting edge research, information sharing and ultimately enhanced public health protections.
"In August 2018, EPA hosted a public listening session right here in Fayetteville to hear from the community about what the agency could do to help address PFAS," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "In the two years since, we issued the first-ever PFAS Action Plan and have brought major support to state, tribal and local governments as they help us execute the plan. The partnership EPA has with North Carolina and other states is critical to overcoming PFAS-related challenges and we thank Congressman Hudson for inviting us to this event."
In addition to Rep. Hudson and Administrator Wheeler, attendees at the roundtable included State Representative John Szoka, Cumberland County Commission Chair Marshall Faircloth, Cumberland County Commissioner Mike Boose, Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, and Deputy Cumberland County Manager Duane Holder.
Learn more here.
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Issues:EnvironmentHealth Care