Hold the Air Force Accountable For Poisoning Tucson’s Drinking Water
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Sponsor: The Veterans Site
The Air Force’s refusal to clean up toxic water in Tucson endangers thousands. Hold those responsible accountable—demand action from Congress now.
Tucson, Arizona, home to more than half a million people, faces a serious threat. For decades, the U.S. Air Force has been contaminating the city’s drinking water with toxic chemicals known as PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, liver damage, and other severe health problems1.
Despite knowing the dangers, the Air Force has refused to clean up its pollution, hiding behind a recent Supreme Court ruling that limits the power of federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)1.
EPA’s Emergency Order: A Critical Call to Action
In May 2024, the EPA issued an emergency order demanding that the Air Force develop a plan to clean up the contaminated water. The order was based on the Safe Drinking Water Act, a law designed to protect public health by ensuring safe drinking water for all Americans.
The contamination in Tucson’s groundwater was found to be as high as 53,000 parts per trillion of PFAS, far exceeding the legal limits. The EPA’s order called for the installation of a filtration system specifically designed to remove these harmful chemicals, a system estimated to cost $25 million—an amount that represents just a fraction of the Air Force’s annual budget2.
Supreme Court Ruling: A Loophole for Polluters
However, in June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine, a legal principle that had allowed federal agencies like the EPA to interpret and enforce environmental laws. The Air Force quickly seized on this ruling to argue that the EPA no longer has the authority to enforce its order. By doing so, the Air Force is effectively refusing to take responsibility for the pollution it caused, leaving Tucson residents vulnerable to the dangers of contaminated water3.
The National Impact of Weakening Federal Oversight
This refusal is not just a local issue; it is a national one. The Supreme Court’s decision has opened the door for other polluters to evade accountability, weakening the federal government’s ability to protect public health and the environment. If the Air Force is allowed to disregard the EPA’s order, it sets a dangerous precedent for other communities across the country that rely on regulatory agencies to keep their water, air, and food safe.
A Call to Congress: Strengthen the EPA’s Authority
The people of Tucson deserve better. They deserve clean, safe drinking water, free from the toxins that have been allowed to seep into their groundwater. But without strong federal oversight, this will not be possible. The Air Force must be held accountable for its actions, and the EPA must have the authority to enforce environmental protections.
This is why we need immediate action from Congress. We are calling on the U.S. Congress to pass a federal law that codifies and strengthens the regulatory powers of agencies like the EPA. Such a law is essential to ensure that the EPA can continue to protect public health, enforce environmental laws, and hold polluters like the Air Force accountable4.
Act Now: Protect Our Water, Health, and Future
This issue is urgent. The health and safety of Tucson’s residents—and potentially millions of other Americans—depend on it. We cannot allow the Air Force or any other entity to evade responsibility for poisoning our water. We must act now to protect our communities and our future.
Sign the petition today to demand that Congress take action to protect Tucson’s water, uphold the EPA’s authority, and ensure a safer, healthier future for all Americans.
- Edward Carver, Common Dreams (12 August 2024), "Air Force Dodges PFAS Water Cleanup in Arizona, Citing Supreme Court Chevron Ruling."
- Sarah Lapidus, USA Today (12 june 2024), "EPA orders Air Force to clean up toxic chemicals in Tucson's water."
- Tom Perkins, The Guardian (12 August 2024), "US Air Force avoids PFAS water cleanup, citing Supreme Court’s Chevron ruling."
- Thomas Novelly, Military.com (13 August 2024), "Air Force Bucks EPA Order to Clean Up 'Forever Chemicals' in Arizona."
The Petition:
To Members of the U.S. Congress, Members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce,
We, the undersigned, call upon you to urgently pass a federal law that codifies and strengthens the rights and powers of regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA’s ability to protect public health and hold polluters accountable, such as the U.S. Air Force, has been gravely undermined by recent Supreme Court decisions limiting governmental oversight.
For decades, the Air Force has been responsible for contaminating the drinking water supply in Tucson, Arizona, with toxic substances, including PFAS—"forever chemicals" known to cause cancer and other severe health issues. Despite the EPA’s efforts to enforce cleanup, the Air Force is now exploiting the Supreme Court's rulings to shirk its responsibility, putting the health of more than half a million Tucson residents at risk.
This situation highlights the critical need for robust federal oversight to ensure that agencies like the EPA have the clear authority to enforce environmental laws and protect public health. Without strong regulatory powers, the safety of our communities is left in jeopardy, and polluters are allowed to evade accountability.
We urge you to take immediate action by passing legislation that concretizes the authority of the EPA and other regulatory agencies, ensuring they can effectively safeguard the environment, public health, and future generations. Such a law will not only address the urgent situation in Tucson but will also establish a precedent for the protection of all Americans, ensuring a cleaner, safer, and healthier future for everyone.
Sincerely,
