WASHINGTON – The House version of the Defense Department spending bill for Fiscal Year 2024 cuts spending to clean up contamination from “forever chemicals” and other toxic pollutants by 30 percent – from $1.6 billion to $1.1 billion.
“More than 400 DOD installations and surrounding communities are contaminated by the toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS, and not one of these installations has been cleaned up,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs. “The DOD has already warned it could take decades to clean up these sites.”
Ultimately, Faber said, the Defense Department should bear responsibility for the funding shortfall for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program.
“Congress gave the Defense Department what it asked for – which is the heart of the problem,” Faber said.
“Despite making PFAS a priority for drinking water consumers, President Biden’s team has been AWOL when it comes to addressing PFAS at DOD sites,” he added. “Our military communities deserve better than this.”
EWG recently found DOD cleanup funding was not keeping pace with expected cleanup needs.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action
