Assemblyman Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) today joined a bipartisan group of state legislators calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and state leaders to take immediate action to protect New Yorkers from toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water, following the federal government’s announcement that it will roll back key clean water safeguards.

On May 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a plan to weaken enforceable limits on six PFAS chemicals, dangerous substances known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and links to serious health conditions.

Brown, a staunch advocate for public health and environmental safety, said federal inaction cannot become a justification for New York to stand still. “The safety of our drinking water should never be up for debate,” said Brown. “If the federal government is handing the reins to the state, then it’s up to the governor and state leadership to pick up the slack and ensure we are doing everything we can to remove these toxic chemicals from our water systems.”

New York’s department of health has the authority under the state’s Safe Drinking Water Act to maintain or strengthen PFAS standards independent of federal regulations. While the governor has acknowledged the risk of the EPA’s proposal, she has yet to commit to enshrining existing PFAS protections in state law.

“The governor has said the EPA’s rollback puts New Yorkers at risk, now it’s time to back those words with real action,” Brown continued. “This is a moment for leadership, not lip service. Protecting our families from toxic exposure is not a partisan issue. It’s a basic duty of the government.”

Studies estimate that if the rollback proceeds, more than 1.3 million New Yorkers could continue to be exposed to PFAS-contaminated water, with serious long-term health implications including cancer, liver damage and developmental delays.

“Clean water is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Brown. “Let’s do the right thing. Let’s protect our residents now, before it’s too late.”