WC Wisconsin News

Congressmen Derrick Van Orden, Salud Carbajal, and Mike Lawler are advocating for the full funding of a new grant program aimed at assisting airports in replacing firefighting foams containing harmful chemicals known as PFAS. This bipartisan effort involves more than 80 lawmakers who are urging House appropriators to secure this funding.

In May 2024, these lawmakers successfully passed the Pollution-Free Aviation Sites (PFAS) Act. This act authorized $350 million over five years to aid local airports in transitioning away from firefighting foams with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). They are now pushing for this funding to be included in a year-end appropriations deal by aligning with the Senate’s draft funding bill introduced earlier this year.

The lawmakers emphasized the importance of this transition in their communication: “Helping airports transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam as quickly as possible would make significant strides towards our shared goals of environmental stewardship and public health protection.” They noted that the Senate's provision provides a comprehensive approach for facilitating the transition to fluorine-free foams, ensuring that airports have necessary resources for purchasing new foam, decontaminating old equipment, acquiring new equipment, and disposing of old foam.

The PFAS Act was signed into law in May 2024 as part of broader aviation policy legislation. This package also included the Save Our Airports Reporting Act, which mandates regular progress reports from federal agencies on phasing out these chemicals.

A letter addressed to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee expressed strong support for a provision in S. 4796, which proposes setting aside $70 million for a new firefighting foam replacement program at U.S. airports. This provision is authorized under section 767 of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Traditional firefighting foams mandated by the FAA contain PFAS, which pose potential health risks to both humans and the environment. The Senate’s provision aims to facilitate a timely transition to fluorine-free foams by providing necessary resources for airports.

The letter concludes with an appeal: “Again, we urge the inclusion of the Senate’s provision that would set aside $70 million for a new firefighting foam replacement program at U.S. airports. Helping airports transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam as quickly as possible would make significant strides towards our shared goals of environmental stewardship and public health protection.”