FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2020
EWG Action Fund Recognizes Kuster and Pappas For Perfect Scores
(Concord, NH) – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster and Congressman Chris Pappas are announcing their recognition by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Action Fund for their leadership on combating PFAS contamination. The EWG Action Fund last week released their report scoring every member of the U.S. House of Representatives for their votes on legislation related to toxic chemicals. Both Kuster and Pappas received perfect scores and were formally recognized by the EWG for securing the passage of legislation in the House of Representatives with important provisions concerning toxic fluorinated “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in the PFAS Action Act. Congresswoman Kuster championed a provision that would create a five-year moratorium on new PFAS and Pappas championed an amendment that calls on the EPA to set proactive limits for PFAS discharge, holds polluters accountable, and provides impacted communities with resources to address contamination.
"PFAS chemicals have no place in our water systems," said Annie Kuster. "These dangerous forever chemicals pose a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of people here in the Granite State and across the country. That's why I have taken action to protect our communities from these toxic chemicals. I'm proud to fight to ensure that all Americans have access to safe and clean water free of PFAS chemicals and I look forward to continuing this important work."
"Everyone deserves access to safe, clean drinking water," said Chris Pappas. "I've led a bipartisan effort to regulate PFAS under the Clean Water Act because we must stop industry polluters from dumping toxic forever chemicals in our environment and protect the health and safety of New Hampshire residents. We have so much more work to do to safeguard our environment, ensure clean air and water, and take on climate change, and I pledge to keep fighting for these priorities in Congress."
“Few have worked harder to address the risks posed by PFAS pollution than Reps. Pappas and Kuster,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs for EWG Action Fund. “PFAS pollution has fouled the air and water of New Hampshire for far too long. Thanks to the leadership of Reps. Pappas and Kuster, Congress is finally making PFAS a priority.”
________
About the Environmental Working Group Action Fund: The EWG Action Fund is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment and to advocating for policies that protect people from toxic chemicals and that shift government subsidies toward conservation.
To arrive at the scores for each member, EWG Action Fund selected eight bills and amendments that lawmakers voted on during the 116th session of Congress. The mix of legislation included proposals to gut Environmental Protection Agency science, increase toxic air pollution and replace lead water pipes. Strong bipartisan majorities voted in favor of policies that reduce and remediate PFAS, which have been linked to serious health problems.
###