Jennifer Baker

Beyond EPA – How Other Federal Agencies are Taking on PFAS Issues

Jennifer Baker, Partner, Barnes and Thornburg LLP

While the United States Environmental Protection Agency has taken the lead on PFAS regulation, several other federal agencies are advancing a number of goals related to PFAS.   After the EPA, the Department of Defense plays a significant role in the PFAS arena due to its use, testing, and storage of AFFF.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also highly active in investigating PFAS presence in various foods.  Additionally, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the White House Council on Environmental Quality are all actively engaged in addressing PFAS-related issues.  This presentation will provide a brief overview of how these agencies are tackling PFAS within the scope of their respective missions and examine how the new administration may influence their PFAS-related objectives.

Jennifer Baker is an environmental attorney with more than 20 years of experience helping industrial clients, commercial entities, and landowners navigate environmental regulatory challenges and manage environmental liabilities. Her work emphasizes practical, cost-effective, and creative solutions, including addressing issues related to emerging contaminants such as PFAS.    Jennifer supports urban revitalization by providing guidance on environmental matters arising during development and redevelopment projects, real estate transactions, and operational changes. She collaborates with state regulatory agencies to resolve environmental concerns that impact her clients’ operations and business goals.    Her experience includes advising a coalition of industrial and municipal stakeholders on compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations. She also supports energy clients with regulatory matters, asset divestitures, and litigation involving environmental disputes in both state and federal courts.    Consistently recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2021, Jennifer is an active member of the Oregon, Washington, and Indiana State Bar Associations. She earned her J.D. with a Certificate in Environmental Law from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark and holds B.A.s in geology and sociology from Bucknell University.    Jennifer’s practice encompasses PFAS remediation, brownfields redevelopment, wetlands management, environmental litigation, and voluntary cleanup programs.