Peters Statement on Air Force Awarding Contract for Remediation Around Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base Near Oscoda

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Air Force awarding a contract to Aerostar SES LLC to better control the migration of PFAS in areas around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base near Oscoda as part of the remediation process:

“Today’s announcement is an important step towards finally cleaning up these toxic chemicals that have been present in the Oscoda community for too long. I was proud to work with my colleagues to secure dedicated funding towards remediation at Wurtsmith. But let’s be clear: there is still much to be done – and I’m going to continue pressing the Air Force to act quickly. We know PFAS exposure can have devastating impacts on human health and the environment. That’s why I’m going to continue fighting to ensure we have federal drinking water standards in place and the resources to clean-up contaminated sites across Michigan.”

In May, Peters wrote to the Air Force urging the branch to expedite PFAS cleanup efforts at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. Peters has led numerous efforts to expedite the PFAS remediation projects at the former Wursmith facility and enact legislation to address and prevent PFAS contamination in Michigan and across the country. Peters helped secure $13.5 million in funding in February on additional tangible cleanup projects. During a visit to the base last year with Assistant Air Force Secretary Henderson, Peters held a joint public forum in which he urged the Air Force to do more to mitigate PFAS contamination in the area. Peters also helped secure bipartisan provisions that were signed into law last December to address PFAS contamination, including a provision that will phase out the Department of Defense’s use of firefighting foam containing PFAS.

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