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Peters, Stabenow support of legislation helps NE Michigan

Both Michigan’s U.S. senators — Peters and Stabenow — voted this week in favor of defense legislation in the Senate for Fiscal Year 2019.

Funding for many Michigan projects and connections are contained in the legislation, including two particular items of special interest to Northeast Michigan.

The first is language in the legislation that urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite completion of its assessments relating to the need to construct a second Poe-sized lock at the Soo Locks.

The second deals with the PFAS contamination found at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base and a number of other sites around the U.S.

Aspects of the legislation dealing with PFAS include:

∫ Creating of a registry of veterans who may have been exposed to PFAS chemicals so as to keep them updated on findings related to the fire-suppressant chemical.

∫ Continues the second year of a health study dealing with the impacts of PFAS exposure.

∫ Increases funding to address PFAS contamination by $25 million, including $15 million of the National Guard.

∫ Encourages the Department of Defense to develop PFAS-free foams to fight fires.

Peters said the legislation continues Michigan’s role as a leader in defense-oriented projects.

Stabenow agreed.

“This bill makes a big investment in Michigan’s defense industry and gives a pay raise to our troops,” she said. “We also made important progress towards upgrading the Soo Locks and increased support to address the growing problem of PFAS chemical contamination in Michigan and across the country.”

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