Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – Attorney General Dana Nessel has expressed her support for the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed national standards for PFAS in drinking water. Nessel welcomed the development for national consistency in protecting Americans from these toxic "forever chemicals."

Michigan, a leader in the fight against PFAS contamination, has had state-level drinking water standards in place since 2020. Nessel reiterated her commitment to upholding these protections and holding manufacturers accountable for their contribution to environmental cleanup efforts.

The Department of Attorney General is actively defending Michigan's PFAS drinking water standards in court against a legal challenge from 3M, a major PFAS manufacturer. Nessel emphasized the importance of science-based limits on PFAS to safeguard drinking water supplies and deemed 3M's challenge as meritless.

Michigan courts have rejected 3M's attacks on the substance of the rules, underscoring the significance of public health protection. The Department of Attorney General will continue to defend these rules, ensuring compliance with both existing state standards and the newly proposed EPA standards.

The EPA's proposed drinking water levels, though similar, present some variations compared to Michigan's existing standards. Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is working to integrate the federal standards into the state's regulatory framework. Public water supplies will have five years to meet the new standards, with Michigan assisting in implementing necessary changes for compliance.

As Michigan remains at the forefront of the battle against PFAS contamination, Attorney General Dana Nessel stands firm in her commitment to safeguarding the state's drinking water supplies and environment.