Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier today announced a final rule designating Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

“This new rule falls woefully short of adequately addressing the legitimate and significant implementation and environmental questions raised by tens of thousands of stakeholders since this rulemaking process began. The agency’s decision to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA will have permanent, far-reaching implications for manufacturers, consumers, municipalities, landowners, and disposal companies. It will also have the effect of jeopardizing people’s access to essential services that we all rely on every single day. The reality is these and other efforts by the EPA are making life less affordable for Americans and jeopardizing America's economic leadership.”