Pallone Presses EPA Administrator for Assistance on Suspected Cancer Cluster in Keyport, NJ at Budget Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for assistance on a suspected cancer cluster in Keyport, New Jersey during a hearing on the agency's Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

During the hearing, Pallone pushed Administrator Zeldin for a firm commitment to provide federal engagement.

"Earlier this month, I sent EPA a letter about a suspected cancer cluster in Keyport, New Jersey, which is in my district, demanding that the agency work with other federal and state partners to secure the site and address the ongoing contamination. Corporate polluters have been let off the hook for too long in this area, and the community is paying the price, and I think this matter deserves the full attention and force of our public health and environmental agencies. The Region Two administrator, I do want to say, has been cooperative. He met with my staff last Friday to discuss this cancer cluster and remediation of the landfill that we believe may be causing it," Pallone said.

"So I just wanted to mention it to you and ask you to prioritize this issue as we proceed with the region two administrator to address remediation and the health concerns, if I can ask for your commitment," the Sixth District Congressman asked.

Zeldin responded that he was "very well aware of it," and that the "Region Two administrator has briefed me on it. I know how much of a priority it is. This is an issue that New Jersey DEP has been on the lead on enforcement at the landfill, they have not asked for our assistance, but we stand ready to help."

Download video of the hearing exchange here.

Pallone's questioning came after weeks of escalating concern from Keyport residents living near the former Aeromarine landfill, a site with a decades-long history of contamination that has never been fully remediated. More than 40 cancer cases have been reported in the surrounding community, including 28 clustered on a single street, raising urgent questions about potential environmental exposure.

Earlier this month, Pallone formally called on federal and state agencies to launch a coordinated investigation into the site, secure the property, and assess risks to public health. The landfill, which was shut down in 1979 due to major failures, has since been linked to the presence and migration of hazardous substances including benzene, PCBs, heavy metals, and methane gas. Despite repeated violations and nearly $900,000 in fines issued in recent years, the site remained unsecured and had not been properly capped or cleaned up.

Last Thursday, Pallone's staff convened a multi-agency meeting with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Health, EPA Region 2, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Governor's Office to establish a coordinated response. The Congressman's office outlined a three-part approach focused on comprehensive environmental testing and cleanup, a full review of potential health impacts, and clear, consistent communication with residents. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for later this week.

Yesterday, Pallone also spoke directly with state and local officials in Keyport, including DEP Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak and Mayor Rose Araneo, to hear from the community and reinforce the need for immediate action.

###