SEEC Celebrates EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Standard that Protects Americans from Forever Chemicals

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the finalization of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first-ever national drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In February, SEEC sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging them to swiftly finalize the proposed drinking water standard.

“We are pleased that the Biden Administration heard our call to finalize a strong national drinking water standard for PFAS. EPA successfully ‘followed the science’ and set science-based limits for dangerous PFAS chemicals that pose a particular threat to the American people. Public water systems will need to monitor these toxic chemicals, notify the public when PFAS contamination is present, and work to reduce PFAS levels within their water systems. This new regulation is expected to result in $1.5 billion in annual health benefits by reducing tens of thousands of serious illnesses and preventing thousands of deaths across the country.

“The tide is turning for communities who have long waited for answers to the ever-present problem of PFAS pollution. Armed with the $9 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to combat PFAS exposure, our municipalities now have a national call to action to address PFAS contamination and deliver clean water for our communities. From day one, we at SEEC have been proud to support the Biden Administration in following through on our collective commitment to address emerging contaminants and ensure that all Americans have access to clean and safe drinking water.”