Shea-Porter Provision to Lessen Use of PFC-Based Fire Fighting Foam Included in National Defense Authorization Act

Statement

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, today announced that her provision directing the Department of Defense to report to the Armed Services Committee on its progress in replacing the PFC-based firefighting foam that has contaminated water supplies nation-wide, including around the Pease Air National Guard Base, has been included in the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act.

"We cannot continue to use dangerous fire fighting foam that contains PFCs, and which continues to contaminate bases and groundwater sources across the country," said Shea-Porter. "The Pentagon must work as quickly as possible to find an alternative that meets mission needs and does not harm our communities. My provision directs the Department of Defense to report back with all the actions it's taken to meet this goal so we ensure this effort is progressing."

The Readiness Title of the FY2019 National Defense Authorization includes Shea-Porter's directive report language (page 147). The language acknowledges efforts to replace the legacy fire fighting foam and to replace it with foam that does not contain PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals). Numerous peer-reviewed studies indicate the health dangers of PFCs. Shea-Porter's provision directs DoD describe its progress in replacing the foam and any future actions necessary to deploy PFC-free fire fighting foam. It also asks DoD to accelerate these efforts.

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