Senate Environmental Committee OKs Bills Responding To PFAS Contamination
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On October 23, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee unanimously reported out bills to restrict some uses of PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams and using local funds to clean up PFAS contamination.  The bills include--

-- PFAS Firefighting Foams:  Senate Bill 919 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establish statewide uniform requirements restricting the use of Class B firefighting foams containing added PFAS chemistries for training, restricting their use in testing, while also allowing for continued sale and use against real-world fires (sponsor summary).

“Firefighters can face an extremely higher level of PFAS exposure compared to other emergency responders,” Sen. Gene Yaw said. “PFAS contamination is a national public health challenge, and this bill is a commonsense response, which has already been adopted by many states. This bill will undoubtedly protect firefighters moving forward, while also safeguarding our ground and surface water from contamination.”

-- Use Local Funds To Pay PFAS Cleanup Costs: House Bill 1410 (Stephens-R-Montgomery) would use local funds which would otherwise pay state taxes for cleaning up PFAS contamination, rather than relying on responsible parties to pay for cleanups  (House Fiscal Note & Summary).

The bills now go to the full Senate for action.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7105 or sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.

NewsClips:

Click Here to read this week’s PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

Republicans Moving Troublesome Bills Last Week:

Briefing: Trick Or Treat?  Environmental Policies Promoted By Today’s Republicans

Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Road Dumping Of Conventional Drilling Wastewater 26-23 Without Debate

Senate Passes Bill 27 to 23 To Limit Public’s Right To Know Why A Regulation Is Being Proposed

Republicans On Senate Environmental Committee Report Out Bills Slowing Down DEP Permit Reviews, Narrowing Public Appeals Of DEP Permits

Sen. Yaw Introduces Bill To Authorize 3rd Party Review Of Chapter 102, 105 Permit Applications

Correcting The Record: Sen. Pittman Attacks DEP For Not Being Able To Do Its Job; Well Look In The Mirror Senator

Related Articles:

EPA Approves Pennsylvania’s Drinking Water And Clean Water Infrastructure Intended Use Plans

EPA Offering Compliance Assistance To Community Water Treatment Facilities In Region 3, Including PA

EPA: Wyoming Valley Communities Have Flexibility In Implementing Their MS4 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program

DEP To Hold Nov. 18 Meeting/Hearing On Easton Road PFOA/PFOS Hazardous Site Cleanup Plan In Bucks County

[Posted: October 23, 2019]


10/28/2019

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