ICYMI: Congresswoman Haley Stevens Leads Fight to Protect Michigan Communities from PFAS Pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ICYMI: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens has been reaching Michiganders all across the state about her bipartisan legislation to close dangerous regulatory loopholes and strengthen federal oversight of PFAS air pollution, building on her ongoing effort to protect Michigan communities from toxic contamination. 

Here's what Michiganders are hearing about the bill:

Michigan Advance: Michigan Democrats introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen protections against PFAS air pollution

By: Kyle Davidson

• Four of Michigan’s Democratic representatives joined with Republicans from New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia on Tuesday in introducing a bill they say would close major regulatory gaps and strengthen government oversight on PFAS air pollution.
• Michigan is one of the states most heavily impacted by PFAS pollution, with more than 300 confirmed contaminated sites and more areas where contamination is suspected.
• “Michigan communities have lived with PFAS contamination for too long. The PROTECT Act closes dangerous loopholes in how these toxic chemicals are regulated, strengthens oversight of PFAS air pollution, and holds polluters accountable,” Stevens said in a statement.
• “This is about protecting the public health and safety of every Michigander and delivering real results for Michigan families.”

Michigan News Source: Clearing the Air: New Bill Aims to Control PFAS Pollution

By: Eleanor Deggofau

•  A new bill being proposed by U.S. Michigan representatives aims to have gaseous PFAS chemicals recognized as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.
• Democrat Michigan representatives Haley Stevens, Debbie Dingell, Rashida Tlaib, and Hillary Scholten, along with other representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), introduced the bill, entitled the PROTECT Act, on Thursday.
• In addition to adding PFAS to the list of hazardous substances, the PROTECT Act would set standards for how much PFAS could be in the air and regulate industries and facilities which release PFAS into the air.

WXMI: Legislation Targets PFAS Air Pollution 

• Michigan neighborhoods continue to face contamination issues, from PFAS “forever chemicals” to elevated lead levels in water.
• Lawmakers are introducing a bill to address PFAS air pollution, filling a critical gap in environmental protections.
• “This is to close some of the loopholes in the Environmental Protection Agency to actually detect PFAS in our air.”
• “Yeah, it’s something that is impacting families and needs more research. And also, it just needs the federal government to detect and work alongside local officials.”
• If passed, the bill would require the EPA to classify certain PFAS as hazardous air pollutants, identify major sources, set enforceable limits, and strengthen cleanup responsibilities.

WILX: Bipartisan Bill on PFAS Air Pollution 

• PFAS contaminates air and water and accumulates in people’s bodies, with hundreds of confirmed sites across Michigan.
• “I think with the proper resources and the proper identification tools, we can work to keep Michiganders safe and make sure that our air is clean and fresh for all to breathe.”
• The bill is cosponsored by Michigan Representatives Debbie Dingell, Rashida Tlaib, and Hilary Scholten.

WJR: All Talk with Kevin Dietz

• Michigan faces widespread PFAS contamination in water, soil, and food, and Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ bipartisan PROTECT Act aims to close detection loopholes, strengthen EPA authority, and protect both air and water.
• “I'm introducing bipartisan legislation to close loopholes to help us better detect pollutants. Believe it or not, PFAS also does get into our air and Michigan, we all know we want the fresh water that's our pride and joy, and we want the clean air, and I'm trying to empower the Environmental Protection Agency to close those loopholes and to better detect and I'm thrilled that my legislation is bipartisan.”
• The legislation prioritizes communities with the highest exposure, including the Aisle Boat River area and parts of Oakland County, focusing on both cleanup and prevention.
• The PROTECT Act also strengthens accountability for polluters, providing enforcement tools, ensuring contamination is addressed before it reaches residents, and empowering the EPA to prevent future PFAS exposure.

WPBN: Bipartisan Push to Toughen PFAS Cleanup Laws

• A bipartisan effort in Congress is pushing tougher PFAS prevention and mitigation laws, with Michigan among the hardest-hit states.
• Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the PROTECT Act to close major loopholes in federal oversight of PFAS “forever chemicals.”
• “Here in Michigan, we obviously know the story very well. I’ve been pleased to act in the past to address PFAS in our water, but we also need to make sure that it’s not getting into our air, which has been overlooked. And there are loopholes that now need to get closed.”
• The bill would require the EPA to classify certain PFAS as hazardous air pollutants, identify offenders, set enforceable limits, and strengthen cleanup requirements.

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