Skip to content

On Dec. 11, the House of Representatives passed S. 1790, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. The Senate followed suit on Dec. 17, bringing an end to protracted negotiations on this annual must-pass legislation. In one of their final acts, conferees agreed to provisions addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Two major provisions – designation of PFAS as Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) hazardous substances and requirements to promulgate PFAS drinking water standards – were left out of the bill. Their absence, and the controversy they engendered, have diverted attention from the many significant PFAS provisions that did make it into the final NDAA package. The NDAA represents Congress’ first major response to public concern about these “forever” chemicals, and the NDAA provisions signal that much more is to come from Congress on the subject of PFAS.

The NDAA PFAS provisions are focused for the most part on the Department of Defense (DOD). They require DOD to stop using PFAS in firefighting foam and other applications, and to cooperate with affected communities and begin cleaning up resources contaminated by military PFAS uses. However, two provisions have much broader application.

Read the full GT Alert.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Steven Barringer Steven Barringer

Steven Barringer is a member of GT’s Environmental and Government Law and Policy practice groups. Steve has a unique practice that combines substantive environmental law knowledge with deep government law and policy experience. He began his career as an attorney-adviser and Special Assistant

Steven Barringer is a member of GT’s Environmental and Government Law and Policy practice groups. Steve has a unique practice that combines substantive environmental law knowledge with deep government law and policy experience. He began his career as an attorney-adviser and Special Assistant to the Solicitor at the Department of Interior. In private practice, Steve has represented industry clients in numerous EPA rulemakings, and defended clients in enforcement actions brought by EPA and states. He has advised companies regarding compliance with federal and state environmental laws. Steve has represented parties involved at major Superfund sites – including several of the largest Superfund sites in the United States – both in remediation settlement negotiations and cost-recovery actions. He has advised clients on international treaty obligations applicable to the transboundary movement of mercury and other hazardous wastes, and has managed local counsel examining environmental laws in Central America and Europe applicable to the transboundary movement of such wastes.

Steve’s broad experience representing environmental clients led to his work on government law and policy matters. He has interacted with federal and state regulators on numerous rule-makings and policy developments. He advises clients regarding federal legislative and agency strategy, including use of the appropriations process to achieve policy goals. Steve served on an EPA advisory committee examining federal hazardous waste regulations, and was selected by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to represent industry stakeholders in negotiations to develop consensus amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He led an industry group advocating for reform of the federal mining laws. Representing industry clients, Steve has worked together with nongovernmental organizations to secure federal legislation banning the export of mercury from the United States.

Steve has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as one of the top environmental practitioners representing the mining industry. One client described him as “absolutely the best.” He speaks and publishes on environmental legal and policy topics.

Photo of Keith E. Smith Keith E. Smith

Keith E. Smith is a trial lawyer and corporate advisor whose wide-ranging practice is focused on the defense of national class actions, products liability, environmental, toxic tort and complex commercial litigation. He has wide-ranging experience as a both an advisor and trial counsel…

Keith E. Smith is a trial lawyer and corporate advisor whose wide-ranging practice is focused on the defense of national class actions, products liability, environmental, toxic tort and complex commercial litigation. He has wide-ranging experience as a both an advisor and trial counsel for regional, national and international clients for matters including product defect liability, class action, warranty, anti-counterfeiting and brand integrity, fire, construction, sexual abuse, employee terminations, restrictive covenants, misappropriation of trade secrets, employee fraud and embezzlement, contract disputes, and general commercial litigation.

Keith has represented national and international manufacturers of chemicals compounds, plumbing products, commercial and industrial machinery, automobiles and component parts, food and food products, tobacco, consumer products, textiles, and alloy, carbon, and composite piping.

Photo of Katie P. Reed˘ Katie P. Reed˘

Katie is a Director in the Government Law and Policy Practice of Greenberg Traurig’s Washington, D.C. office. She represents clients before the House and Senate on issues related to agriculture, energy and environment, tobacco, and appropriations and provides legislative research and support on…

Katie is a Director in the Government Law and Policy Practice of Greenberg Traurig’s Washington, D.C. office. She represents clients before the House and Senate on issues related to agriculture, energy and environment, tobacco, and appropriations and provides legislative research and support on a broad range of matters.

Katie is experienced in political compliance matters such as congressional ethics rules; state and federal lobbying guidelines and reporting requirements; and state, federal, and local campaign finance compliance regulations. Katie advises a variety of corporate clients on compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act and Federal Election Commission regulations specific to political action committees (PACs) and fundraising guidelines. She manages federal and state lobbying reporting requirements for corporate clients and handles FARA filings for various foreign clients. In her over 12 years of campaign finance experience, Katie has managed a wide range of PACs at the state and federal level. She assists clients with the establishment of PACs, fundraising techniques, and the management of everyday PAC operations and periodic reporting requirements.

˘not admitted to the practice of law.