Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Industries from Frivolous PFAS Lawsuits
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) in introducing a five-bill package to protect industries and municipalities from legal claims should the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds as hazardous substances.
The EPA proposed a rule designating two PFAS compounds as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as “Superfund.” If finalized, it could hold water treatment plants, landfills, farms, and ranches liable for PFAS contamination for which they are not responsible. Further, airports, fuel depots, and refineries, all of which are required to test and use fire suppression foam containing PFAS, could be subject to litigation.