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Hudson Secures GenX and PFAS Amendments

July 24, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) has secured two provisions in the latest appropriations bill to address PFAS chemicals including GenX. The first amendment provides an additional $2 million to study the relationship between PFAS exposure and the susceptibility to COVID-19. The second amendment provides funding for the U.S. Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) to develop national regulatory standards, or Effluent Limit Guidelines, as part of the PFAS Action Plan for discharge of PFAS chemicals including GenX.
"Protecting our community from the dangers of PFAS chemicals like GenX has remained a top priority," said Rep. Hudson. "These amendments will build on our action to address GenX, as well as understand how the exposure to PFAS chemicals might be linked to a greater susceptibility of COVID-19. I will continue to work across the aisle to support these efforts and keep our communities safe."
Both of Rep. Hudson's PFAS amendments were accepted to the bill, which is expected to be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, July 24. These amendments were the latest action from Rep. Hudson to address PFAS chemicals including GenX, which has impacted communities across North Carolina.
Background
Earlier this year, 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 Sept. 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 frontlines of this issue. Recently, 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 8th 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.
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