Military bases are exempt from federal and state environmental regulations while operating with very little public oversight. Critics say these exemptions have encouraged our military to discharge large amounts of toxic materials into our air, water and soil. They say this exemption has prevented cleanup efforts and endangered many people living on or near these bases. They claim our military should not be allowed to use its right of sovereign immunity to pollute our land, water and air. Our military is the world’s largest polluter, annually generating about 800,000 tons of toxic material worldwide. Every year, more than one-third of our nation’s toxic waste is generated by our Armed Forces.

A recent Defense Department report has revealed that at least 245 U.S. military bases have been leaching toxic chemicals into the drinking water of nearby communities, putting an unknown number of people at risk. This report confirmed that at least 455 military bases are contaminated by polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals” because of their inability to naturally degrade, and that 275 out of 295 bases checked had released those chemicals “in the proximity” of drinking water supplies. DOD states that it is committed to cleaning up these bases as quickly as possible, although it does not offer any specifics or timeframe. Health advocates say the Pentagon’s low-priority policy regarding the cleanup of military base pollution is resulting in increased rates of cancer, kidney disease, birth defects and miscarriage for those on or near these facilities.

Proposed Legislation: To require military bases to conform to federal environmental pollution protection laws and to be included under the jurisdiction of the EPA
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY)