The Sconi

Gov. Tony Evers joined with other Great Lakes governors to address the issue of PFAS perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. 

The governors of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania have created and pushed legislation to increase the regulations and protections around PFAS in water supplies. 

The act is calling for the Environmental Protection Agency to classify PFAS as hazardous materials. PFAS are man made chemicals and are used in a variety of products. 

"PFAS threaten both the health of our communities and our environment," Evers said in a post to his Twitter account on July 30. "I joined four other Great Lakes governors to urge Congress to pass the PFAS Action Act and continue our work to address this public health threat."

The governors also signed a joint letter of support for Congress’ PFAS Act and outlined portions they felt were key and also included their own concerns in regards to the Great Lakes regions. They thanked the co-sponsors of the act. Designating hazardous materials, development of national standards for water and air, funding for communities impacted by PFAS and provisions relating to community stewardship were listed as key provisions of the act. 

Overall, the goal of the letter was to emphasize that national action was needed to tackle this problem.