Advocates push state legislation as EPA scales back GenX and PFAS regulations.
PFAS
Cape Fear River Watch’s Dana Sargent heading for new post
After seven years as Cape Fear River Watch executive director, Dana Sargent is taking on a different environmental advocacy role with hopes to spend more time with her family.
Proposed state rules on discharges defanged as EPA retreats
The Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement this week that it will rescind and reexamine four expected PFAS rules follows a state Environmental Management Commission committee’s opaque decision stalling proposed surface water rules on three compounds.
Zeldin says PFAS limits may get tougher, downplays layoffs
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin told a Senate committee Wednesday that news reports about the EPA weakening PFAS were inaccurate and that the standards could instead get tougher.
Draft state rules for 1,4-dioxane, PFAS dischargers delayed
State staff need more time before presenting draft monitoring requirements for dischargers of PFAS and 1,4-dioxane for the Environmental Management Commission to consider.
Cape Fear River Watch to host ‘Postcards Against PFAS’ event
The “Postcards Against PFAS” event is from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday in Wilmington ahead of the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission’s May 8 meeting.
NAACP joins fight for Chemours to disclose documents
The NAACP New Hanover County Branch’s motion to intervene in a lawsuit against Chemours and its predecessor company DuPont is the latest is an ongoing fight to keep public thousands of pages of documents.
Committee to consider draft plans for 3 PFAS, 1,4-dioxane
A committee of the Environmental Management Commission during its May meeting is to consider sending to the full commission draft management plans for 1,4-dioxane, and for PFOA, PFOS and GenX.
Groups move for disclosure of Chemours’ sealed documents
The advocacy organizations’ motion against the chemical company argues that unsealing the 21,000 pages of documents “will help communities understand the harm the facility has caused, and will continue to cause, to their own health, their property values, and even the lives of future generations.”
No NC limit on 1,4-dioxane means water customers bear costs
It costs an additional $1-$3 million a year to remove 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen, from drinking water drawn from the Cape Fear River, costs that could be avoided if upstream polluters were required to reduce the amount of the compounds they discharge.
DEQ chief: Emerging compounds ‘top priority’ for state
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson said addressing PFAS and other emerging compounds is a top priority during the N.C. Water Resources Research Institute’s annual conference Thursday.
Utility industry has heavy hand in draft PFAS monitoring rule
As a committee of the Environmental Management Commission works to draft a PFAS monitoring framework rule, environmental advocates argue the draft language protects industry polluters.
World Water Day to focus on chemical pollution in Cape Fear
A World Water Day event March 22 in Wilmington will focus on PFAS and 1,4-dioxane pollution in the Cape Fear River.
Chemours to expand well testing for PFAS contamination
About 150,000 additional private water drinking wells are eligible for PFAS testing after the state’s lead environmental agency directed Chemours’ to expand sampling in Harnett and Hoke counties.
Brunswick’s PFAS treatment system to launch this spring
Brunswick County officials say upgrades and expansion of the public utilities’ Northwest Water Treatment Plant are now 85% complete.
Incoming environmental chief Reid Wilson revisits his roots
Former Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson sees important opportunities and challenges in terms of public health and environmental protection in his new role as Department of Environmental Quality secretary in the Stein administration.
