Goodlander Calls on Secretary Hegseth to Provide Transparency into PFAS Cleanup Timelines for Pease Air Force Base and New Boston Space Force Station

The NH Delegation's call comes following news that DOD quietly revised its PFAS investigation and remediation schedule, delaying cleanup without sufficiently notifying lawmakers or the public

Concord, N.H. - Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan, and Representative Chris Pappas, are calling on Secretary Hegseth and the Department of Defense (DOD) to quickly provide the delegation with a list of all PFAS investigation or cleanup timelines that have been revised since January 2024 at Pease Air Force Base (AFB) and New Boston Space Force Station, in response to recent reporting that the Department of Defense quietly updated their PFAS investigation and remediation timelines without providing sufficient public notice.

"PFAS exposure poses serious health risks not only to service members but also to surrounding communities contaminated by PFAS run-off, most often found in their drinking water," wrote the lawmakers. "Studies have shown clear associations between PFAS exposure and kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, immune suppression, and pregnancy complications. In recognition of these risks, the Department has committed to an investigation and remediation process of PFAS at hundreds of military installations and to keep Congress and affected communities informed of its progress."

"However," they noted, "recent reporting revealed that DOD has quietly revised its PFAS cleanup schedule, delaying work at hundreds of sites, including some in New Hampshire… Communities that have waited years for action and relief now face prolonged uncertainty and potential continued exposure. Each additional year of delay increases risks to public health, complicates remediation efforts, and erodes public trust."

They concluded by reiterating that "New Hampshire communities deserve transparency, urgency, and accountability in addressing PFAS contamination that originated from Department of Defense activities," and reminding DOD that publishing clear, publicly accessible notice guidance on timeline changes is required under law.

Read the full letter here .

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