Exposure to these chemicals, also known as PFAS, has been linked to health issues including cancer, kidney and thyroid issues, weakened immune systems and fertility issues.
In 2024, the Biden administration set the first-ever limits on six types of PFAS. It said at the time that its action would reduce exposure to PFAS for about 100 million people, preventing 9,600 deaths and nearly 30,000 illnesses in the coming decades.
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday it will “rescind and reconsider” filtration requirements for four of those six PFAS. For the two PFAS that will still need to be filtered out, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is delaying the requirements to do so by two years.
Now, public water systems with just two types of PFAS — PFOA and PFOS — will be required to filter out those chemicals by 2031.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the changes as “common-sense flexibility.”
Other types of PFAS — those known as GenX, PFBS, PFHxS and PFNA, — will be newly rescinded from the rule.
Asked about the changes to the rule during a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Zeldin indicated the agency may not ultimately exclude those four substances.
“There was an issue as it relates to the four other chemicals, and that’s something that we are going to be going through a process, but that doesn’t mean that it gets weaker.”
Environmental activists recoiled at the changes announced by the EPA, including Emily Donovan, whose North Carolina community has faced GenX contamination.
“This current administration promised voters it would ‘Make America Healthy Again’ but rescinding part of the PFAS drinking water standards does no such thing,” Donovan said.
Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.
The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a slew of President Trump’s top tax priorities Wednesday morning, setting the stage for a high-stakes sprint to get the provisions through the GOP’s razor-thin majority.
The Trump administration is seeking to reassign other employees to “critically understaffed” offices in the National Weather Service (NWS), according to an internal document.
3M will pay the state of New Jersey up to $450 million over the next 25 years, resolving claims regarding widespread contamination from “forever chemicals.” State Attorney General Matthew Platkin and …
News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:
Trump Administration to Fast-Track Permits for Utah Uranium Mine (The New York Times)
Texas is feeling an early heat wave. It’s a sign of a long, hot summer to come (CNN)
On Tap
Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is slated to testify before the House Appropriations Committee.
The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled “Fix Our Forests: How Improved Land Management Can Protect Communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface.”
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on pipeline safety.
Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation Wednesday afternoon containing cuts to Medicaid and health care provisions — some of the most controversial and contentious provisions that will be included in the “big, beautiful bill” of President Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda. Read more
Fiscal hawks are lashing out over what they say are the lack of Medicaid reforms in President Trump’s legislative package, which could thwart the House GOP’s goal of passing the legislation next week. Read more
