Michiganders urge U.S. Senate to act on PFAS at hearing in Washington D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Contact: Katie Parrish, Communications Director, (239) 537-9507
Michiganders urge U.S. Senate to act on PFAS at hearing in Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON, DC– Dozens of concerned citizens with Michigan Demands Action Against Contamination and Need Our Water (NOW) Oscoda, together with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, went to Washington D.C. on Wednesday to attend the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ “The Federal Role in the Toxic PFAS Chemical Crisis” hearing scheduled in response to the growing PFAS water contamination crisis.
“Our message to Washington is simple: the people of Michigan are in dire need of assistance and action, and we need the federal government to act,” said Cody Angell, co-founder of Michigan Demands Action Against Contamination. “We’ve witnessed first-hand the failure of our state to properly inform and protect Michigan residents from PFAS. Our health is on the line and we came to Washington today to demand action.”
The contingent of concerned Michiganders delivered personal testimonies and signatures from over 600 Michiganders calling on the U.S. Senate to take action on PFAS. Oscoda resident and Wurtsmith Restoration Advisory Board member, Arnie Leriche, testified before the committee.
“For people in our state, this contamination is a matter of public health and it is deeply personal,” said Cathy Wusterbarth, co-leader of Need our Water (NOW). “PFAS has been allowed to seep into waterways around Oscoda for decades. We drank this dangerous chemical for years without knowing the consequences. We need the federal government to act, and we need the Air Force to clean up the toxic mess they left behind.”
“I came to Washington D.C. today because clean drinking water is a basic human right, one that my family and thousands of other Michiganders have been denied for years,” said Tammy Cooper, a resident of Parchment. “Two months ago, I learned my family had been exposed to dangerously high levels of PFAS. The government has not been forthcoming, and I don’t know what PFAS may be doing to my three year old daughter. Our federal government must take action on this issue. I want accountability. I want safety for my family and the thousands of other families in Michigan that have been denied clean water.”
“There are 1.5 million Michiganders who may be impacted by PFAS contamination. The alarm bells couldn’t be louder. We need an all-hands-on-deck plan to tackle this growing drinking water crisis,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director at Michigan LCV. “We need meaningful action to protect our families from PFAS. The federal government plays a key role is cleaning up its own polluted sites, protecting our drinking water and holding polluters accountable. It’s time for our government– at all levels– to get to work.”
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