Hudson Releases Statement on PFAS Strategic Roadmap

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Strategic Roadmap announced today to confront PFAS contamination nationwide, including a toxicity assessment for GenX:

 

"I’m glad to see the EPA give these toxic forever chemicals the attention they deserve. We need a comprehensive and reasonable approach to combat PFAS and I look forward to reviewing the EPA's Roadmap," said Rep. Hudson. "I have long demanded action and accountability on behalf of our community. I want to thank Administrator Regan, whom I respect and worked with in our state, for developing this initiative. I will continue to work with the Administrator and my colleagues in Congress to make sure citizens near the Cape Fear River and throughout our region have access to safe drinking water."

 

According to the EPA, the Roadmap will focus on increasing investments in research, using the law to restrict PFAS chemicals from being released into the environment, and accelerating the cleanup of PFAS contamination. In addition to the Roadmap, the EPA also announced a new national testing strategy that requires PFAS manufacturers to provide the agency with toxicity data and information on categories of PFAS chemicals.

 

In June, Rep. Hudson led a letter with Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the EPA to do more to address GenX.

 

In July, Rep. Hudson introduced an amendment to prioritize funding for community water systems affected by GenX as part of the INVEST in America Act. Rep. Hudson's amendment, which would have also ensured GenX was specifically included in the infrastructure budget bill sections dealing with PFAS, was defeated on the House floor as part of a package of Republican amendments and not included in the final bill.

 

"I have fought to address GenX in our community since the chemical began impacting the Cape Fear River region," said Rep. Hudson at the time. "As part of that work, I introduced my amendment to make sure water systems like ours in Fayetteville have the resources needed to effectively combat GenX. I am disappointed this amendment was defeated, but will continue fighting for solutions to protect our community and environment."

 

In 2020, Rep. Hudson secured two amendments in an appropriations bill to provide an additional $2 million to study the relationship between PFAS exposure and the susceptibility to COVID-19 and provide funding for the EPA to develop national regulatory standards as part of the PFAS Action Act of 2020. Read more about those amendments here.

 

Additional information on the Strategic Roadmap: www.epa.gov/pfas