Fayetteville Today

On Nov. 3, Governor Cooper wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, strongly urging the EPA to reverse its decision permitting the import of waste material containing GenX to the Chemours facility in North Carolina. The Environmental Protection Agency is potentially reassessing its October determination permitting Chemours to import waste material containing GenX from the Netherlands to North Carolina.

According to a press release from Governor Cooper, The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has objected to the EPA over Chemours' approval to import 4,400,000 pounds of PFAS-containing material from the Netherlands to the Chemours Fayetteville Works Facility in the next 12 months. North Carolina, leading efforts against "forever chemicals," has pinpointed health risks associated with these compounds discharged into state's air and waterways. This includes pollution by Chemours. DEQ believes that allowing this material import contradicts both EPA's PFAS roadmap and state efforts towards addressing contamination in the Cape Fear River area. Consequently, DEQ is now considering options for protecting public health and reducing PFAS in the environment while closely monitoring Chemours' actions for compliance with permits and Consent Order provisions related to GenX remediation.

An article published by WECT highlights that The Environmental Protection Agency may review its Oct. decision allowing Chemours' import of waste material containing GenX from Netherlands into North Carolina. Amidst growing concerns raised by stakeholders like North Carolina and Brunswick County, EPA has urged Chemours to suspend imports of waste from Netherlands into their Fayetteville facility in North Carolina. An official from EPA emphasized a commitment towards reviewing notifications provided by company ensuring public safety stating no shipments have occurred in 2023 and none are currently on their way from Netherlands.

Responding to recent concerns raised by stakeholders including North Carolina and Brunswick County, EPA requested Chemours halt imports of waste temporarily from Netherlands into their Fayetteville facility situated in North Carolina as stated by WRAL. An official from EPA emphasized agency's commitment towards taking these concerns seriously, assuring a thorough review of notices provided by Chemours ensuring public safety. As reported, no shipments have occurred in 2023 and none are currently en route from the Netherlands to North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper expressed his apprehension over recent approval expressing "dismay" over initial decision allowing Chemours import up to 4,400,000 pounds of foreign PFAS-containing waste material for next 12 months via a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Tuesday. Cooper urged reconsideration and reversal of this approval.