Breaking News: U.S. EPA Unveils PFAS Plan Under Comeback Initiative

On April 28, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled an action plan to tackle per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, aligning with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative.

As part of the plan, the EPA will appoint an agency lead for PFAS efforts; implement a PFAS testing strategy under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 4; improve air-related PFAS data collection; and address available information gaps.

The agency will now offer updates to the PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance annually, instead of every three years. The EPA will also accelerate testing method development and address compliance challenges related to drinking water regulations for certain PFAS.

Additional actions include enforcing Clean Water Act restrictions, adding PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), and prioritizing effective outcomes for PFAS risk assessments. The agency also aims to enhance remediation efforts where drinking water is affected by PFAS and collaborate with states for risk assessments and enforcement. A public comment period for biosolids risk assessment will be completed to inform future steps.

Other highlights include plans to:

• Develop effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) for PFAS manufacturers and metal finishers, and evaluate other ELGs necessary for the reduction of PFAS discharges
• Determine how to better use RCRA authorities to address releases from manufacturing operations of both producers and users of PFAS
• Use the Safe Drinking Water Act authority to investigate and address immediate endangerment
• Implement section 8(a)7 to smartly collect necessary information, as Congress envisioned and consistent with TSCA, without overburdening small businesses and article importers
• Work with Congress and industry to establish a clear liability framework that operates on the polluter pays and protects passive receivers
• Review and evaluate any pending state air petitions, and support investigations into violations to hold polluters accountable

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About the Author: Smit Shah is a news writer for 3E’s Signal newsletter team, creating daily updates and short articles. Her goal is to make complex topics simple and engaging for her audience. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, and has worked as a content head and teaches mass communication and journalism at Sardar Vallabhbhai Global University as a visiting faculty member.