PA Chamber joins coalition raising concerns over proposed EPA water rule

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry joined 23 other state chambers to voice concerns over a controversial water quality rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In a letter to the EPA Assistant Administrator Radhika Fox, the coalition urged the agency to withdraw the rule and questioned the data and methodology used in the agency’s decision to classify four more chemical compounds as contaminants under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

The proposed rule, which would establish national drinking water for certain chemicals, had several problems, the coalition said, the costs of which had likely been underestimated.

According to the chambers, the costs of implementing maximum contaminant levels for two compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), would rise to more than $1.8 billion, more than double the EPA’s estimated costs as part of the proposed regulations. Implementing the rule could lead to increases of up to $1,000 per month for household water costs, the coalition said.

Additionally, the coalition has several concerns about the proposed rule, including insufficient data on occurrence levels at the proposed maximum contaminant level; technical, scientific and legal questions arising from the introduction of a novel hazard index for certain chemicals; a limited understanding of the risks associated with the proposed maximum contaminant levels; the need to consider the costs and benefits of the proposed rule as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The coalition urged the EPA to withdraw its proposal and wait for the outcome of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 process already underway before proceeding with its regulatory determination.