[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mrs. 
        Feinstein, Ms. Hassan, and Mr. Blumenthal):
  S. 2994. A bill to list certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl 
substances as hazardous air pollutants, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Prevent Release 
of Toxics Emissions, Contamination, and Transfer Act. The PROTECT Act 
would add certain PFAS chemicals to the list of hazardous air 
pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
  The Environmental Working Group recently identified nearly 30,000 
potential industrial dischargers of PFAS into the air and water. Yet 
there are currently no restrictions on industrial PFAS discharges under 
the Clean Water Act or the Clean Air Act, leaving communities 
vulnerable to the devastating impacts of PFAS pollution.
  While it is well documented how toxic PFAS chemicals are prevalent in 
the water supply, it is less well known that PFAS chemicals are also 
emitted into the air.
  This legislation would add PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and GenX to the list of 
hazardous air pollutants regulated under section 112(b) of the Clean 
Air Act. It would also direct the EPA to create a list of categories of 
major sources and area sources that emit PFAS within 2 years and give 
the EPA a 5-year deadline to finalize the subsequent regulations.
  The EPA has acknowledged that ``air emissions of PFAS from industrial 
sources is now recognized as a significant route for PFAS releases to 
the environment and is evidenced by deposition as well as their 
presence in rainwater.'' Yet PFAS air emissions aren't currently 
regulated under the Clean Air Act or any other anti-pollution law.
  Adding PFAS to the EPA's hazardous air pollutants list would build 
upon work done by States to limit air emissions from industrial 
facilities and greatly expand the number of facilities that would have 
to adopt technology to reduce PFAS emissions.
  I thank my colead Senator Shaheen for her tireless leadership 
fighting PFAS contamination and protecting vulnerable communities and 
Congresswoman Stevens for successfully shepherding this legislation 
through the House.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the PROTECT Act 
as quickly as possible.

                          ____________________