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In a bipartisan letter, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and 67 other members of congress to urge the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Committee to include strong cleanup provisions for per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemical contamination in the FY2020 NDAA.

“In the FY2020 NDAA, we have the opportunity to take serious action and accelerate the clean-up process where PFAS contamination exists,” wrote the Representatives. “While we remain open to good faith negotiations and finding common ground, this must be taken seriously. The health of all Americans, our servicemembers, and the environment, now and for future generations, is at stake.”

“Meaningful PFAS provisions were adopted in both the House and Senate authorization bills that we should be able to find common ground on. We cannot, in good conscience, however, support a defense authorization that fails to significantly address ongoing and legacy contamination from PFAS chemicals.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.

Pingree has long been a vocal advocate for the cleanup and regulation of PFAS chemicals, commonly known as “forever chemicals.” Pingree serves as the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, where she oversees the NEA and arts funding. On this committee, she helped to secure funding for scientific and regulatory work on PFAS in the FY2020 Interior Appropriations bill. Pingree has co-sponsored the PFAS Action Act, to require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to list all PFAS chemicals, including PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals, as hazardous substances under the Superfund clean-up program within one year.

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