Pappas Leads NH Delegation in Demanding Transparency into PFAS Cleanup Timelines for Pease Air Force Base and New Boston Space Force Station

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation in 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 recently 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 letterhere and below:

Dear Secretary Hegseth:

We write in response to the Department of Defense’s (DOD) recent report indicating significant delays in the investigation and cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. This development is troubling given the long history of PFAS use and contamination linked to the sites, the well-documented health risks these “forever chemicals” pose, and the Department’s obligation to protect service members, veterans, and surrounding communities from harmful exposure. We are especially concerned about any delays at military cleanup sites in New Hampshire. We request that the department provide a written response outlining 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. Please include the prior target dates, the new dates, and the reasons for the change by December 1, 2025.

For decades, DOD relied on PFAS-based firefighting foams and other materials at hundreds of installations, including Pease Air Force Base (AFB) and New Boston Space Force Station. 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. 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, recent reporting revealed that DOD has quietly revised its PFAS cleanup schedule, delaying work at hundreds of sites, including some in New Hampshire. These changes were posted online without any advance notice to Congress or local stakeholders. 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.

New Hampshire communities deserve transparency, urgency, and accountability in addressing PFAS contamination that originated from Department of Defense activities. Delays of this magnitude, implemented without explanation to Congress or community stakeholders, are unacceptable, and prevent us from quickly working together to find a solution that keeps our communities and veterans safe.

Finally, we ask that the Department of Defense commit to publishing a clear, publicly accessible website for future timeline changes, including justifications, and to providing local and state authorities advance notice before such changes are finalized. Publishing this guidance is required under Section 321 of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your response.