PFAS Funding Bill Passes Senate, Heads To Governor

HORSHAM, PA — A bill that would redirect state money toward paying for the removal of PFAS from drinking water has passed both chambers of the state legislature and is headed to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk for his signature.

In doing so, it would give water customers in the area a break on the local surcharges they currently pay for the cleanup.

House Bill 1410 was sponsored by Rep. Todd Stephens, of Horsham. It would eliminate the surcharges being used to remove the toxic chemicals from local water and, instead, pay for it with money generated by sites associated with creating the chemicals.

Specifically, the bill calls for a portion of state tax money generated from the use of the former Willow Grove Naval Air Station and land surrounding it to be funneled through a newly created municipal authority.

That group would use the funds to eliminate the local surcharges and clean up water contamination caused by the military installation.

PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are believed to have leached into the soil at the air station from a firefighting foam that was used there.

Stephens' bill, which had already passed in the House, was approved in the Senate on Tuesday. Stephens said he has worked with Wolf on its language and is optimistic it will be signed into law.

"I want to thank everyone who fought so hard to make this possible ...," Stephens said in a written statement. "(O)ur ratepayers are bearing the costs of removing these contaminants even though this was a problem caused by the federal government. That is simply unfair."

The legislation also directs the state to develop a program to address PFAS water contamination in communities across Pennsylvania.