• EPA Update: PFAS Regulations, Safer Chemicals, and Enforcement Priorities

  • Dec 6 2024
  • Length: 4 mins
  • Podcast

EPA Update: PFAS Regulations, Safer Chemicals, and Enforcement Priorities

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  • Summary

  • Welcome to our podcast on the latest news from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This week, we're focusing on significant developments that impact American citizens, businesses, and state and local governments.

    The EPA has been busy this year, particularly with its efforts to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In April 2024, the EPA finalized a rule designating two PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, including their salts and structural isomers, as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This move is part of the EPA's broader strategy to address PFAS contamination, building on its 2021 PFAS Strategic Road Map and 2023 Second Annual Progress Report[1].

    Additionally, the EPA has updated its Safer Choice and Design for the Environment (DfE) Standard, effective August 30, 2024. This update aims to promote safer chemicals in products and processes[2].

    The agency has also issued an Enforcement Alert regarding the illegal importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) into the United States. This alert highlights common compliance issues and recent enforcement actions, emphasizing the need for companies to comply with the law to address the climate crisis[2].

    Looking at broader enforcement priorities, the EPA announced its 2024 to 2027 National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives, focusing on six priority areas to address serious and widespread environmental problems. These initiatives include addressing environmental justice across all six areas, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling water pollution[3].

    Budget allocations are also a critical aspect of the EPA's work. The Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the EPA totals $12.083 billion, a 19% increase from the previous year, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, advancing environmental justice, and funding scientific research[4]. However, the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2024 reduces funding for the EPA by $977 million, or 9.6%, from the previous year[5].

    These developments have significant impacts on American citizens, businesses, and state and local governments. For instance, the PFAS regulations will require companies to report on the manufacture or importation of these substances, which could lead to increased costs for compliance but also better protection for public health.

    As Peter Zalzal, Associate Vice President for Clean Air Strategies at the Environmental Defense Fund, noted, "EPA’s announcement today is important in helping to advance justice and protect communities and the climate."

    Citizens can engage with these developments by staying informed about upcoming changes and deadlines. For example, the EPA's PFAS regulations will require significant action in 2024, and companies must comply with the new HFC importation rules to avoid enforcement actions.

    To stay updated, visit the EPA's website for more information on these initiatives and regulations. Public input is crucial in shaping environmental policies, so we encourage listeners to participate in public comment periods and engage with local environmental organizations.

    Next steps to watch include the implementation of the PFAS regulations and the EPA's continued enforcement activities under the AIM Act. Stay tuned for further updates on these critical environmental issues. Thank you for listening.
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