Overview

• New Pentagon schedules posted in recent weeks push back preparatory work at roughly 25% of nearly 600 contaminated military sites, averaging five-year delays with some cleanups not starting until at least 2039.
• The Defense Department reports spending more than $2.6 billion since 2017 on investigations and interim protections such as bottled water and treatment systems, while large-scale remediation remains years away.
• GAO’s Sept. 24 report says DOE has completed initial PFAS reviews at only about one‑third of 57 surveyed sites, urging deadlines for 37 pending reviews and a plan for 100‑plus additional locations.
• EPA has signaled it will retain PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under Superfund, reinforcing potential cleanup obligations at federal facilities.
• Proposed NDAA 2026 provisions would cut toxic-site cleanup funding and reverse the PFAS foam purchase ban, drawing concern from local officials and lawmakers as communities demand clearer timelines and testing.