As reported by Amanda Sullender for The Spokesman, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Donald Trump’s administration has announced it will no longer pursue plans to regulate the discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater.
The proposed guidelines, drafted during the Biden administration, were set to limit PFAS discharges to under four parts per trillion in public drinking water.
These plans had yet to be released for public review and have now been halted.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds linked to numerous health risks, including cancers and thyroid disease.
The decision has sparked criticism from environmental advocates who plan to take legal action.
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a policy blueprint for the Trump administration, appears to have influenced the federal government’s decision on PFAS regulation.
This document advocates for revisiting the designation of PFAS as hazardous substances.
President Trump has nominated Russ Vought, a co-author of Project 2025, to lead the Office of Management and Budget, a role with potential influence over environmental regulations.
Environmental advocates argue this shift could hinder efforts to address PFAS contamination.
According to Erik Olsen, Senior Director for Health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, “People are learning more about the health risks from PFAS… There will be more and more pressure on Congress and on the administration to do something about this problem.”
Despite the federal changes, local cleanup efforts are set to continue.
State laws will govern PFAS removal at Spokane International Airport, while the federal government oversees efforts at Fairchild Air Force Base.
States like Washington have enacted their own drinking water standards, often stricter than the federal rules.
For now, these local regulations remain unchanged, Sullender noted.
However, the Trump administration’s actions may delay new federal rules still under development.
Olsen noted that protections already in place under the Clean Drinking Water Act are less likely to be rolled back due to legal safeguards.
On Thursday, toxicologist Nancy Beck was appointed senior adviser to the EPA Office of Chemical Safety.
Beck, who held a similar role during Trump’s first term, has a history of opposing stricter PFAS regulations.
During her previous tenure, Beck supported exemptions and “safe harbor” provisions that critics argued weakened PFAS rules.
Her new appointment has reignited concerns among environmental groups, as her role does not require Senate confirmation.
Before her government roles, Beck worked for the American Chemistry Council, a lobbyist group for chemical manufacturers.
Recently, articles she authored on PFAS policy were removed from her former law firm’s website following her return to the federal government.
The Trump administration has halted plans to regulate PFAS discharges in wastewater, reversing guidelines developed under the Biden administration.
These chemicals, linked to serious health risks, remain a focus of environmental advocates who plan to challenge the rollback in court.
While some protections under the Clean Drinking Water Act are legally safeguarded, proposed rules still under development may face delays.
Local cleanup efforts at Spokane International Airport and Fairchild Air Force Base will continue under existing laws.
Nancy Beck, reappointed to the EPA, has drawn criticism for her past opposition to stricter PFAS regulations, raising concerns about the administration’s approach to chemical safety.
Advocates predict mounting pressure on Congress and the administration to address PFAS-related issues.
