New bill will ban sale of affordable refrigerators, dishwashers, hot water heaters, air conditioners, washing machines and more

State Rep. Angela Rigas on Thursday slammed a new Democrat bill that would ban the use of Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are regularly used in a wide range of household appliances and other items. The move would drive up consumer costs and could ban many appliances reliant on incremental amounts of PFAS for operation.

“Democrats are going to make us all live like they did on Little House on the Prairie,” said Rigas, R-Caledonia. “Banning central components for household appliances will make it so only the richest people can afford them. We’re all concerned about PFAS, but sloppy legislation like this will have unintended consequences that extend far beyond their intent. Regular people won’t feel very protected while they’re forced to drink spoiled milk and wash their clothes in a nearby river.”

Democrats included a highly questionable and burdensome exemption process for products that cannot operate without PFAS. To receive an exemption, the manufacturer must submit a claim to bureaucrats within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Those officials then have unquestioned authority to review or deny the requests. Exemptions will only be approved if there are no other alternatives to PFAS. So, even if another material will increase the cost of a dishwasher by 500%, EGLE can force manufacturers to use the alternative or shut down entirely.

“It sure is convenient the governor is getting a massive payout from her book deal the summer before Democrats make appliance costs go through the roof,” Rigas said. “While the middle class finds new ways to stop our cheese and meat from going bad, she’ll be sitting pretty with money to burn on expensive new appliances. Hopefully, she has enough fridge space to share, because no House Democrats are getting book deals after their two failed years in power.”

Under the plan, House Bill 5657, most household products that contain PFAS can no longer be sold in Michigan starting in 2027. Beginning in 2032, a person would not be permitted to sell, offer, or distribute any product containing PFAS. Republicans note that these extreme provisions could violate the Interstate Commerce Clause.

Michigan led the charge in efforts to protect the public from PFAS. In 2017, state government launched the nation’s first PFAS Action Response Team (MPART). The intiative led to commonsense legislation to enact safeguards for PFAS use. The federal government still hasn’t caught up with many of the protections Michigan enacted. Rigas noted that Michigan has already accomplished so much and shouldn’t ruin those successes by going off the deep end into government overreach.

Democrats’ new plan would also affect wind turbines, solar panels, and hydrogen fuel cells, which all include PFAS for production. Democrats are relying on these energy sources to be the sole power source for Michigan.

“Radical environmentalists embedded in our Legislature are so bent on pleasing coastal elites that they’re pursuing legislation that would blow up a plan they passed less than a year ago,” Rigas said. “They’re going to have to pick a lane. Either they impose this ban, or their fancy windmills are going in the dumpster right next to our refrigerators.”

HB 5657 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation for further consideration.

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