Rep. Haley Stevens Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat PFAS Pollution Harming Michigan Communities

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced the bipartisan Prevent Release of Toxic Emissions, Contamination, and Transfer (PROTECT) Act to close major regulatory gaps and strengthen federal oversight of PFAS air pollution – an urgent issue for communities across Michigan.

PFAS are toxic “forever chemicals” that persist in the environment, contaminate the air we breathe and water we drink, and accumulate in the human body. Michigan has hundreds of confirmed and thousands of suspected PFAS-contaminated sites, making Michigan one of the hardest-hit states by PFAS pollution nationwide.

“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,” said Rep. Stevens. “This is about protecting the public health and safety of every Michigander and delivering real results for Michigan families.”

Rep. Stevens has championed efforts to reduce PFAS exposure to deliver results for Michigan families by strengthening drinking water reporting, securing major PFAS cleanup funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and introducing the PFAS Free Procurement Act. The PROTECT Act builds on her record of action to address PFAS contamination.

“PFAS are pervasive, man-made chemicals that pose an urgent threat to public health and our environment, and the number of contaminated sites is growing at an alarming rate throughout Michigan and across the country,” said Rep Dingell (D-MI).“I’m proud to be a partner on the bipartisan PROTECT Act to finally address the threat of PFAS in the air we breathe by adding it to the list of hazardous chemicals under the Clean Air Act.”

“It’s more urgent than ever that Congress compels the EPA to act to protect our communities from PFAS forever chemicals,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). “The PROTECT Act will force the EPA to do its job and begin setting emissions reduction standards so our communities can breathe clean air.”

“Clean air isn’t a luxury - it’s a right for every Michigander and every American,” said Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI). “As a member of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, I have worked to get PFAS contamination out of our lakes and rivers. Now, I’m proud to be leading the charge to implement emission reductions for these forever chemicals. This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to working across the aisle to get it passed.”

Clean air protections should reflect how pollution actually occurs,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Co-Chair of the Congressional PFAS Task Force. “PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are released into the air and spread beyond their point of origin, yet they are not fully regulated as hazardous air pollutants. The bipartisan PROTECT Act corrects that failure by bringing PFAS under the Clean Air Act, strengthening EPA’s ability to prevent exposure and protect public health in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and across the country.”

“Protecting public health is a top priority, which is why I am proud to support the PROTECT Act,” said Rep. Lawler (R-NY). “By classifying all PFAS as hazardous air pollutants, this bill strengthens oversight of toxic emissions and reduces harmful exposure for all Americans. Environmental accountability today ensures a healthier, safer economy tomorrow.

“The science is clear: PFAS causes irreparable damage to the human body and is a major public health concern. Congress must act to ensure distributors of this harmful chemical are put on notice,” said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA). “That is why I am proud to co-lead the PROTECT Act to compel EPA action under the Clean Air Act and ensure the American people are safer from the dangers of PFAS. This bill demands accountability, action, and urgency from our federal agencies to protect families, communities, and future generations.”

The PROTECT Act would:

• Require the EPA to officially classify certain PFAS as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
• Identify industries and facilities that release PFAS into the air.
• Begin setting enforceable limits on PFAS air pollution from major sources.
• Strengthen cleanup responsibility and public reporting when PFAS are released into the environment.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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