Chemours, a chemical giant, has agreed to pay $450 million to settle claims of chemical pollution in North Carolina, New Jersey, and West Virginia. The settlement, announced by federal and state officials, is the first comprehensive federal agreement targeting a major manufacturer of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”.
Settlement Details
Under the terms of the settlement, Chemours will pay more than $337 million in injunctive relief, with an estimated $280 million going towards providing alternative drinking water to affected local communities. Another $60 million will be used to bring the company’s facility in West Virginia into compliance with environmental laws.
The settlement also features a multi-year, government-supervised mitigation program worth $90 million, which will require Chemours to implement specific operational overhauls, such as trapping GenX emissions at a minimum 99% efficiency rate across its facilities.
Government Reaction
Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance stated that the settlement delivers on the Trump Administration’s promise to make polluters pay and stop PFAS contamination at the source. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey called the agreement an encouraging first step but stressed that local oversight will remain tight.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
