LANSING — Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) has issued the following statement after the state’s Environmental Rules Review Committee (ERRC) voted to approve Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed, enforceable PFAS drinking water standards:
“The approval of these rules is a significant win for our state’s residents, especially those whose drinking water contains toxic ‘forever chemicals.’ It is my greatest hope that, after years of refusing to act on PFAS regulations, my legislative colleagues quickly approve these rules as written.
“We must continue to exercise diligence as lawmakers to ensure we remain at the forefront of drinking water standards and do all we can to protect our water resources and the public’s health.”
The rules approved by the ERRC will set limits for seven PFAS compounds and establish sampling requirements, public notification requirements, and laboratory certification criteria. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy estimates about 2,700 water supplies around the state would be covered under these rules.
The approved standards will next be reviewed by the bicameral Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, who can allow the rules to take effect, disapprove of them, or introduce bills to pass or delay them.
Sen. Brinks represents the 29th Senate District in Kent County that includes the cities of East Grand Rapids, Grands Rapids and Lowell, as well as the townships of Ada, Bowne, Caledonia, Cascade, Grand Rapids, and Lowell.
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