Shelley Moore Capito - Ranking member of the Environment and Public Works committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Shelley Moore Capito - Ranking member of the Environment and Public Works committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing titled, “Examining PFAS as Hazardous Substances.” Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito delivered an opening statement emphasizing the importance of addressing PFAS contamination and the need for bipartisan collaboration in developing solutions.
Capito highlighted the prevalence of PFAS in various industries since the 1940s and stressed the importance of prioritizing actions to address the health risks associated with these chemicals. She expressed her commitment to working with Chairman Carper to develop tailored legislation to tackle PFAS contamination.
The EPA's intention to designate two legacy PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA was a key point of discussion during the hearing. Capito raised concerns about the potential liabilities faced by entities such as water systems and waste management utilities under the current regulatory framework.
Capito emphasized the need for liability protections for passive receivers of PFAS contamination, stating that entities without any role in creating or controlling these contaminants should not be penalized. She called for carefully crafted bipartisan legislation to strike a balance between protecting public health and the environment without imposing financial strain on American households.
In conclusion, Capito expressed optimism about finding a comprehensive and fair solution to the challenges posed by PFAS contamination and reiterated her commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
Alerts Sign-up