Read the full article by Rose Hoban and Will Atwater (NC Health News).
“In a surprise move on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a proposed settlement with chemical manufacturer Chemours over the company’s contamination of major waterways in three states, including North Carolina’s Cape Fear River.
The proposed settlement agreement, totaling about $450 million, seeks to remediate what the DOJ called ‘years of historic and ongoing pollution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as PFAS, from the Defendants’ chemical facilities.’
‘Through this commitment, Chemours will better control PFAS at its plants, allowing the company to continue its manufacturing operations while protecting communities,’ read a release from DOJ. ‘This agreement ensures that the company will manufacture these critical materials in a responsible manner.’
Almost immediately, though, in a response sent to the media, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson denounced what they called a ‘backroom deal’ that leaves ‘virtually nothing for North Carolina.'”…