Gov. Evers, Several Great Lakes States’ Governors Commend Bipartisan Collaboration in Washington to Address PFAS

MADISON —  Gov. Tony Evers joined the governors of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania in support of the PFAS Action Act, bipartisan federal legislation the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve this week. This comprehensive legislation would help accelerate the enactment of national public health and environmental protections from PFAS. The governors signed a letter of support for the PFAS Action Act.

“If history is to be a judge of our future success in addressing PFAS, we need to enact strong, comprehensive federal legislation, coupled with sufficient authority and resources for the states to successfully address the challenges posed by PFAS contamination in our states and across state boundaries,” the letter reads.

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam. These legacy contaminants have made their way into the environment in various ways, including spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.

Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania have engaged in efforts to strategize and collaborate between states to address PFAS. Wisconsin continues to move forward to develop environmental standards and take actions to make sure that all Wisconsinites have safe drinking water.

The letter of support stresses the key areas in which federal action is especially needed, including designating PFAS a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the development of national standards for water and air as well as PFAS management guidelines, funding for impacted communities and product stewardship.

The letter also reflects the Great Lakes states’ shared commitment to addressing PFAS in the environment and protecting public health and encourages Congress to take action as we move forward in tackling PFAS contamination across the country.