SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is encouraging residents to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency about its settlement with Chemours.
The federal government is accepting comments on the deal, which was announced on June 24, until July 29. The settlement was part of a lawsuit between Chemours, the EPA and West Virginia over water contamination in the Ohio River near Parkersburg.
While New Jersey and West Virginia are both guaranteed to receive clean drinking water to combat PFAS contamination, North Carolina was not. West Virginia will also be receiving $22.5-million from the settlement, and Chemours is expected to operate three $90-million programs to mitigate chemical discharge across West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey, and a $60-million program for air emission control in West Virginia. However, Chemours can choose to spend less.
READ MORE: ‘EPA has abandoned NC’: Local stakeholders dismayed by Chemours, feds’ settlement
Jackson previously announced his dismay over what he’s called a “backroom deal” and is now calling on North Carolina residents to do the same.
“This deal was negotiated behind closed doors without anyone from North Carolina at the table, and it guarantees our state nothing,” Jackson said. “The EPA is going to hear from my office. We think they should also hear from the people who actually drink this water.”
In-state litigation against Chemours and its predecessor DuPont remain. Attorney General Jackson is litigating a case against DuPont, Chemours, and affiliated corporate entities for compensation for contamination. The North Carolina Attorney General is also litigating six other cases against 14 companies, including Chemours and DuPont, that manufacture AFFF, a fire suppressant that contains PFAS.
Comments on the EPA’s deal can be submitted by email and by mail, which should both be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The subject line for comments should be as follows: The Chemours Company, D.J. Ref. No. 90–5–1–1–12112.
Emails can be sent to [email protected]. The address for mail-in comments is as follows: Assistant Attorney General, U.S. DOJ—ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044–7611.
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