Peters Statement on Air Force Contract Announcement 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’s announcement that it will award a contract in July to better control the migration of PFAS in areas around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base near Oscoda as part of the remediation process:

“I pressed the Air Force to act more quickly because the people of Oscoda have waited far too long. That’s why I worked to secure additional funding for PFAS clean-up at sites like Wurtsmith. While I’m encouraged that the Air Force is now moving at a faster rate and ahead of its schedule, we cannot take our foot off the pedal.

“We know PFAS contamination and exposure is having a devastating effect on the local environment and economy as well as the health of residents. I’m going to continue working with the community to pressure the Air Force to act swiftly to clean up the pollution and protect Michigan families who have endured so many hardships due to the presence of PFAS in the area.”

Last month, 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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