Today, the EPA will hold a public forum in Fayetteville to discuss GenX and other contaminants that have been found in the Cape Fear River. The EPA’s Regional Administrator, Trey Glenn, stated that this is an opportunity for community members and other stakeholders to voice their concerns and recommendations to the agency. The forum is comprised of two sessions that include public listening and contaminants. These sessions will consist of public comment, and, resources to assist states, tribes and communities on addressing challenges with GenX and other contaminants in the Cape Fear River.
We’ve learned in the past year that Chemours was exposed for dumping the chemical GenX into the Cape Fear River without a permit to do so. After immense uproar from area residents and government bodies, Chemours admitted to their illegal dumping and promised to end the contamination of the residents’ primary source of drinking water.
Along with the contamination of the Cape Fear River, Chemours emits GenX into the air. In April of this year, the Department of Air Quality announced that Chemours is emitting roughly 2,700 pounds of GenX into the air each year. This amount is 40 times higher than what Chemours reported to the state environmental regulators. As such, GenX is affecting neighboring communities and water sources that are carried through the rain, wind, and other disturbances, which cause recontamination. Thus, Chemours simply stopping the discharge may not necessarily stop the pollution.
Chemours lobbyists have been fighting against any regulatory provisions, yet, offer a short and long-term plan to curve the air and water contamination. The short-term plan is to install a pair of carbon adsorption beds that would reduce air emissions by 30-40%. The long-term goal is to install a thermal oxidizer that will reduce air emissions by 99%. The estimated cost of the thermal oxidizer is $100 million. To address the water contamination, Chemours has proposed to install a filtration system for all households that have been contaminated by GenX. The costs of these systems range from $5,000-$10,000. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) argues that this filtration system isn’t a long-term solution. DEQ proposes that Chemours invest their time and resources into creating a long-term plan that will address the future concerns of residents that use Cape Fear River as their primary source of drinking water.
What can we do?
- Register if you’re interested in speaking or attending public forum – Address: Crown Ballroom, 1960 Coliseum Drive
- Sign Petition telling Chemours to stop contaminating our water!