A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) would make more Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding available for commercial airports to buy devices necessary to test their firefighting equipment without discharging toxic chemicals.
The Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act, S. 3662, aims to help reduce the spread of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at commercial airports by incentivizing them to purchase the devices — also referred to as an input-based testing system, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Capito’s office. The bill was sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and cosponsored by Sens. Moran and Capito.
“The FAA requires regular testing of firefighting equipment, which may put undue burdens on regional, commercial airports, and lead to the discharge of harmful chemicals like PFAS,” Sen. Capito said.
If enacted, Sen. Capito said the bill would benefit several airports in West Virginia, including Yeager, Greenbrier, and Mid-Ohio Valley, by improving the safety of their overall operations.
“This bill would enable them to purchase equipment to test their airport rescue and firefighting equipment without dispersing PFAS foam, and I’m proud to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues today introducing it,” she said.
Specifically, S. 3662 would make more funding from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program available to commercial airports to purchase the devices, and would direct the FAA to identify options for reimbursing airports that already acquired the devices without federal funding, the summary says.
Sen. Moran said commercial airports should have this equipment so as not to expose firefighters or the surrounding communities to toxic PFAS foams.
“I’m pleased to introduce this legislation with Sen. Peters and my fellow colleagues, to promote the health and wellness of firefighters and aviation employees at commercial airports, as well as protect the communities that surround them,” said Sen. Moran.