WC Wisconsin News

President Biden signed into law the 'Clean Airport Agenda,' a series of bipartisan bills sponsored by Representatives Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Carbajal (D-CA), and Lawler (R-NY) aimed at addressing PFAS contamination near airports. This legislative effort is part of broader aviation policy under sections 762 and 767.

The agenda includes the Pollution-Free Aviation Sites (PFAS) Act, which establishes a grant program to assist airports in replacing firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Additionally, it features the Save Our Airports Reporting Act, mandating regular progress reports from federal agencies as airports phase out these chemicals.

“The federal government is long overdue in their work to combat the PFAS contamination they created,” said Congressman Van Orden. “My constituents, and Americans across the nation, should be able to access safe, clean water. I am very proud to see these two bipartisan bills included in this year’s FAA bill and thank Reps. Carbajal and Lawler for their collaboration in getting folks the water quality they deserve.”

Congressman Carbajal emphasized the importance of clean drinking water: “Clean and safe drinking water is paramount to protecting the health of our communities. But our regional airports pose risks to that threat through no fault of their own. Their use of foams containing PFAS chemicals was a requirement of the federal government, and so we should ensure the federal government is helping them phase out these chemicals once and for all."

Carbajal added, "My Clean Airport Agenda not only gives these airports a helping hand to transition to safer firefighting foams, but it also ensures we are holding federal agencies accountable for their plans to phase out these toxic tools. I am proud to see agreement from all sides of Congress on this key priority, and to see them signed into law.”

Congressman Lawler also expressed his support: “I’m pleased that the Save Our Airports Act has been incorporated into this year’s FAA Reauthorization Act. I was proud to join my colleagues Representatives Carbajal and Van Orden to introduce this legislation last year, which will facilitate the transition of our nation’s airports away from the use of PFAS-containing foams, helping ensure the safety of travelers, airport staff, and surrounding communities."

"As a member of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force," Lawler continued, "ensuring that Americans are safe from PFAS chemical exposure remains one of my top concerns, and I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues in both parties on this important priority.”