North Carolina reaches $590 million settlement with Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva over PFAS water contamination
North Carolina has reached a settlement with chemical manufacturers Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva to address PFAS contamination in the state's waterways. The agreement, valued at $590 million by state officials, marks the largest environmental damage payment in the history of the state. Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva will pay $455 million to the state and 11 local entities over the next 10 to 15 years. The majority of the funds, approximately $380 million, will be allocated directly to the communities most impacted by pollution from the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant. The state will receive $75 million, and $55 million will be directed to the North Carolina Emerging Contaminant Mitigation Fund. Additionally, DuPont and Corteva will establish a $135 million reserve to ensure cleanup work continues if Chemours faces financial instability. The settlement resolves lawsuits regarding historical discharges from the Fayetteville Works plant and separate claims involving PFAS-containing firefighting foam. It reinforces an existing 2019 consent order requiring Chemours to provide clean water options for residents with contaminated private wells. The agreement preserves the authority of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to enforce the order and take the company back to court if necessary.
Sources
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Chemours accused of illegally dumping PFAS chemicals in Cape Fear River, other NC water settles for millions
ABC11 News
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Chemical companies reach $455m settlement with North Carolina over ‘forever chemicals’ claims
The Guardian
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Chemours, DuPont, Corteva settle North Carolina PFAS claims for $455M
qz.com
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North Carolina secures $455 million PFAS settlement, plus $135 million cleanup reserve
wral.com