North Carolina asked a federal court to block a $450 million settlement between the EPA and Chemours over PFAS contamination, calling it too favorable to the company. The deal would require Chemours to spend $90 million over 15 years on water cleanup, but officials say none of the funds are guaranteed for North Carolina. More than 2,600 plaintiffs allege pollution affected roughly 500,000 residents and 10,000 private wells. State leaders want the EPA to negotiate a stronger, state-focused agreement that ensures remediation and resources for affected communities.
North Carolina Moves To Block EPA-Chemours $450M PFAS Deal, Calls It a 'Sweetheart' Agreement
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North Carolina has asked a federal court to block a proposed $450 million settlement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and chemical maker Chemours, arguing the agreement is overly lenient and fails to protect the state’s residents who were harmed by PFAS contamination.
Background
Chemours, a company spun off from DuPont, has produced chemicals at its Fayetteville, North Carolina, facility for decades. In 2017 researchers reported that PFAS “forever chemicals” were being discharged from the plant into the Cape Fear River. That contamination prompted more than 2,600 plaintiffs to file claims alleging pollution of drinking water, air, soil and groundwater.
Scope of the Impact
State reporting indicates roughly 500,000 North Carolina residents were affected and about 10,000 private wells may have been contaminated. If approved by a federal judge, the settlement would require plaintiffs to forgo taking their claims to court in exchange for the proposed remedies and payments.
What the Settlement Would Do
Under the proposed agreement, Chemours would be required to spend $90 million over 15 years on water cleanup and drinking-water projects. State officials contend that the settlement does not guarantee that any of those funds will be dedicated specifically to communities in North Carolina that suffered the greatest harm.
State Objections and Legal Action
“For decades, Chemours knowingly contaminated North Carolina's air and water by discharging PFAS from its Fayetteville plant into the Cape Fear River,” North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in a July 30 statement. “Now, the EPA is cutting a deal with Chemours that does next to nothing for North Carolinians and allows polluters to choose what to clean up and where.”
“This proposed sweetheart deal that was brokered without even consulting North Carolina requires almost nothing more of Chemours than it's already doing. It's offensive and unfair to the people of this state,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson.
North Carolina’s lawsuit asks the court to block the EPA-Chemours settlement and seeks a more robust agreement that directs remediation, oversight and resources to the state’s affected communities. State leaders and residents are urging the EPA to negotiate a settlement that prioritizes relief for North Carolinians rather than broadly protecting the company.
Next steps: The case will proceed in federal court, where judges will consider whether the settlement is adequate and whether it should be allowed to replace individual and class claims.
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