Gov. Josh Stein and State Leaders Oppose EPA-Chemours PFAS Deal in Court
State officials say the proposed deal leaves North Carolina without drinking-water relief and lets Chemours direct cleanup spending.
- On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Governor Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson filed comments opposing the federal Environmental Protection Agency proposed settlement with Chemours, citing inadequate protections for North Carolina.
- State officials argue the deal, negotiated without North Carolina's input, fails to address decades of contamination from PFAS discharges into the Cape Fear River. They claim the agreement offers no assurance of benefits for residents while releasing Chemours from liability for over 200 Clean Water Act violations.
- Under the proposed terms, Chemours would be required to spend up to $90 million over 15 years on pollution reduction, but the company is not obligated to spend any funds in North Carolina. The 99.5% emission control requirement is less stringent than current state standards.
- Governor Stein is calling on the EPA to negotiate a new settlement that includes drinking water relief, while the state continues litigating against Chemours and DuPont to secure compensation for damage to natural resources.
- PFAS contamination, known as "forever chemicals," has impacted the Cape Fear River for decades, affecting 500,000 residents in eastern North Carolina. Exposure to these substances is linked to serious health risks, including cancer and birth defects.
11 Articles
11 Articles
SELC criticizes proposed federal Chemours settlement over PFAS pollution
CHAPEL HILL — EPA’s proposed settlement with Chemours fails to hold the polluter accountable for its toxic PFAS pollution, require comprehensive cleanup, or include court-enforceable protections against future pollution for North Carolinians, according to comments submitted by the Southern Environmental…
Gov. Josh Stein and state leaders oppose EPA-Chemours PFAS deal in court
RALEIGH, NC (News Release) — Today, Gov. Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and DEQ Sec. Reid Wilson filed comments opposing the proposed PFAS deal between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chemours. The comments urge the federal government to withdraw the proposed settlement, which would do almost nothing to address the damage Chemours has done in North Carolina. “For decades, Chemours knowingly contaminated North Carolina’s…
State leaders in Lenoir County for Rural Listening Tour
LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) -- Kinston was the site for the 10th stop out of 11 in Governor Josh Stein's Rural Listening Tour. Governor Stein was not at Lenoir Community College today, but in his place were Secretary of NC Environmental Quality, Reid Wilson, and Secretary of NC Department of Revenue, McKinley Wooten Jr. Wooten [...]
The Fayetteville Observer
Wilmington Star NewsTop NC officials send letter to feds attacking proposed deal with Chemours
Calling it too little, too late, Gov. Stein and others say a proposed settlement agreement between Washington and Chemours isn't enough.
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