Why It Matters
Pureline, an Illinois-based chemical manufacturer, filed a lobbying registration on Sept. 26 and engaged Foxhound Advisors LLC. No prior federal lobbying disclosures were identified for Pureline, making this its first recorded federal lobbying engagement.
The registration covers two issue areas, Chemicals/Chemical Industry and Disaster Planning/Emergencies. Pureline specializes in chlorine dioxide products and applications, including those for water treatment.
Federal drinking-water standards regulate chlorine dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency sets a maximum residual disinfectant level of 0.8 milligrams per liter for chlorine dioxide in drinking water, making federal drinking-water regulation relevant to companies operating in the chlorine dioxide market.
By the Numbers
The Sept. 26 new-client registration reports no lobbying income, lists no legislation, and identifies no more specific lobbying issues beyond the two issue areas. John Puskar Jr., CEO and managing partner at Foxhound Advisors LLC, is the sole registered lobbyist on the account.
Broader Context
EPA continues to review its Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Rules, the regulatory framework that governs disinfectants and disinfection byproducts in drinking water. Chlorine dioxide is among the disinfectants regulated under that framework, though the registration does not indicate whether Pureline intends to lobby on those rules.
Separately, in May, EPA proposed changes to federal drinking-water requirements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The agency proposed retaining the existing maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS while allowing qualifying water systems up to two additional years, through 2031, to comply. A separate proposal would rescind drinking-water regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX chemicals, and certain mixtures containing those chemicals and PFBS.
Emergency preparedness is also a pressing issue for drinking-water systems. Under America's Water Infrastructure Act, community water systems serving more than 3,300 people must periodically review and update their risk and resilience assessments and emergency response plans. The current five-year certification cycle includes deadlines that extend through this year for some water systems.
Between The Lines
A congressional hearing titled "A Decade Later: Assessing the Legacy and Impact of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act" generated 16 references to chemicals and chemical industry topics in hearing statements A congressional hearing titled "A Decade Later: Assessing the Legacy and Impact of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act" generated 16 references to chemicals and chemical industry topics in hearing statements in the year before the filing.
During the same period, 25 communications addressed chemicals and chemical industry topics across both chambers and parties, including 23 from members and two from committees, while three addressed disaster planning and emergencies during the year prior to the filing. During the same period, 25 communications addressed chemicals and chemical industry topics across both chambers and parties, including 23 from members and two from committees, while three addressed disaster planning and emergencies.
The lobbying registration does not identify a particular bill, regulation, or policy Pureline intends to influence, so the disclosure does not yet reveal the company's specific federal lobbying objectives.
The Bottom Line
Pureline's entry into federal lobbying is new, with no prior disclosures identified in the available federal lobbying records. Its registration covers chemicals and emergency planning but does not disclose a specific legislative or regulatory target.
Foxhound Advisors LLC and Puskar previously represented Bell Geospace Ltd., including during the first quarter.
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