The Struggle for PFAS Pollution Accountability & Catching up with Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury | 6.21.21

New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

New Mexico's environmental regulators learned from the Air Force in 2018 that it had contaminated local waters with PFAS from fire fighting foams used at Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases. Since that time, the state has been sued by the U.S. Department of Defense for trying to compel the military to clean up that pollution--and in June, the Biden administration's DOD called New Mexico's attempts to compel cleanup under one of the military's permits "arbitrary and capricious." Meanwhile, Kenney is also asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for help in setting federal pollution standards for the toxic substances.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force announced in June a $16.6 million contract to build a pilot water treatment plant at the southeastern corner of Cannon Air Force Base, to test three different options for removing PFAS from the groundwater. If all goes according to plan, the "pump and treat" plant will begin operations in 2023.

Plus, Host Gene Grant speaks with Rep. Melanie Stansbury, whose victory in the special election for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District was watched closely by politicos in the U.S. and abroad. The congresswoman, who was sworn into office Monday, discusses her policy priorities.

Correspondents:

Gene Grant

Laura Paskus

Guests:

Chris Gierke, remedial project manager, U.S. Air Force

Sec. James Kenney, NM Environment Department

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, (D-NM) 1st Congressional District

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