{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases/deluzio-rulli-raise-concerns-defense-dept-over-plan-incinerate-forever", "Deluzio, Rulli Raise Concerns to Defense Dept Over Plan to Incinerate \u201cForever Chemicals\u201d in East Liverpool, OH\u2014on PA Border", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Christopher R. Deluzio", "D000530", "deluzio.house.gov", "deluzio", "https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congressman Mike Rulli (R-OH-06) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin raising major concerns over the Department of Defense\u2019s (DOD) efforts to receive approval to incinerate polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at a plant in East Liverpool, OH. Represented by Congressman Rulli, East Liverpool is a community in Ohio\u2019s 6th Congressional District along the Ohio River and is just a few miles upwind of Allegheny and Beaver County communities in Pennsylvania\u2019s 17th Congressional District, represented by Congressman Deluzio.\n\nAlso known as \u201cforever chemicals,\u201d PFAS is a type of manufactured chemical that breaks down very slowly and is frequently found in defense-related materials like firefighting foam. As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes, PFAS \u201ccan build up in people, animals, and the environment over time.\u201d Research is still ongoing to understand the comprehensive impacts that these types of long-lasting chemicals can have on human health and the environment, but PFAS have already been linked to several adverse health impacts, including cancer and birth defects. In 2022, Congress passed a law prohibiting the DOD from incinerating PFAS until they could issue guidance in line with the EPA\u2019s disposal advice.\n\nAnd yet, as the Congressmembers write in their letter, \u201cThe DOD is looking to resume the incineration process in East Liverpool, Ohio, that can contaminate the surrounding soil, seep into nearby water sources, and pollute the air.\u201d\n\nThe Congressmen continue, \u201cThe DOD has cited improved, cleaner incineration techniques as their reasoning for this renewed appeal. The EPA, however, disagrees, and just earlier this year admitted that \u2018uncertainties remain\u2019 regarding the effectiveness and safety of PFAS incineration. You should not carry out any operations in our communities without being certain of its safety.\u201d\n\nIn the letter Congressmen Deluzio and Rulli ask several questions of Secretary Austin and his Department, including:\n\n\u201cWhat is this new process that the DOD claims is \u2018cleaner?\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat will you do to ensure these communities are kept safe and that nothing will leach into our soil, water, and air?\u201d\n\nThe Congressmen conclude, \u201cThere must be acceptable answers to these questions before something happens that could put our constituents at risk. We urge you to end any PFAS incineration and block any efforts to resume this in East Liverpool until the DOD and EPA can prove there is no risk to our communities\u2019 health and safety. We also implore you to work closely with local leaders of the affected communities so that they are aware of your plans and can best advocate for their interests.\u201d\n\nA full copy of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://deluzio.house.gov/media/press-releases/deluzio-rulli-raise-concerns-defense-dept-over-plan-incinerate-forever"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.627274952828884, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}