Midland Daily News: Bipartisan bill demands more transparency, faster action on PFAS contamination
Michigan lawmakers are teaming up across the aisle to demand more transparency and faster action on PFAS contamination near U.S. military facilities.
On Friday, U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) and U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) introduced the "Military PFAS Transparency Act," a bipartisan bill that would require the Department of Defense to publicly report on its PFAS cleanup efforts at hundreds of contaminated military sites across the country, including more than a dozen in Michigan.
“Families living near military bases deserve clear, consistent information about what’s being done to address PFAS pollution in their communities,” McDonald Rivet said. “This bill will hold the Department of Defense accountable by requiring regular updates, detailed timelines, and direct communication with the public.
"I’m grateful to Congressman Bergman for his partnership as we fight for answers and action.”
Bergman emphasized the need to move beyond studies and reports.
“We know the threat PFAS poses. We’ve studied it to death,” he said. “Now it’s time to clean it up. This bill ensures that the Pentagon puts results ahead of red tape.”
PFAS—short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—are synthetic chemicals used in everything from firefighting foam to food wrappers to waterproof clothing. Because they don’t easily break down, they’ve earned the nickname “forever chemicals.”
PFAS have contaminated soil, water, and food supplies nationwide, particularly around military installations where firefighting foam was heavily used. Exposure to some PFAS compounds has been linked to cancer, immune disorders, and other serious health issues.
The Military PFAS Transparency Act would require the Department of Defense to:
- Annual report on cleanup: The Pentagon would submit yearly updates on site-specific PFAS cleanup efforts, including how much funding has been spent, progress made, and remaining barriers. Each report must include performance metrics and timelines.
- Improve cleanup strategies: The DoD would be required to prioritize cleanup based on health risks, expand laboratory testing capacity, and establish uniform standards for tracking cleanup success.
- Create a public dashboard: Within one year, the DoD would have to launch an online dashboard displaying up-to-date information on each contaminated site, cleanup plans, timelines, funding levels, and community contact information.
Supporters of the bill say it’s a long-overdue step toward real accountability.
“This is about putting impacted communities at the center of the cleanup conversation,” said Tony Spaniola, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. “This bill builds on effective strategies developed by residents in places like Oscoda, Michigan, where community expertise helped shape federal cleanup policy. Now we need to make sure that policy delivers results.”
The bill has also been endorsed by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the Great Lakes Commission, and the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
“This bill provides the public with the transparency they deserve—and the information they need to protect their health,” said Bentley Johnson, federal affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Dr. Michael Goff, president of the Northeast-Midwest Institute, added that greater transparency is especially important in the Great Lakes region, where the threat to drinking water is significant.
“Knowing how the government is responding is key to protecting communities and improving outcomes,” Goff said.
The bill is also backed by the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, including U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA).