County committee votes to send opposition to EPA PFAS rule changes to full Board

The Alameda County Personnel, Administration & Legislation Committee voted to forward to the full Board the County Health Department's opposition to two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulemakings on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Committee staff said the requests oppose (1) a proposed extension of the compliance deadline for PFAS maximum contaminant levels and (2) a proposed rescission of a regulatory determination and removal of related provisions for four PFAS substances. The concerns were raised specifically with regard to groundwater testing results in parts of the Tri-Valley, and the County Health Department urged stronger federal oversight and timely compliance.

A committee member praised the health agency's work and moved that the committee send both opposition positions to the full Board. The Chair seconded the motion; the Clerk recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed at the committee level. The committee did not adopt a countywide regulatory change itself; it simply authorized forwarding the Health Department's opposition positions to the Board for formal Board consideration.

"I definitely appreciate the work of our health agency and, looking at the PFAS issue," the committee member said when making the motion.

The committee's action asks the full Board to consider opposing the EPA proposals on the grounds that a delayed compliance deadline and rescission of the regulatory determination would undermine protections for local groundwater and public health. The committee did not vote on any local ordinance and did not direct staff to begin rulemaking; it transmitted the Health Department's requested positions for the Board's consideration at a future public meeting.

What happens next: The full Alameda County Board of Supervisors will receive the request and can decide whether to adopt the opposition positions or take alternate action.