State officials are pulling the wastewater discharge permit for Chemours, the company whose chemical GenX has raised concerns about tainted drinking water in the Cape Fear River.
The state Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday it is beginning the process to revoke the company's wastewater discharge permit. The NC Sierra Club welcomes the state's action, which comes after Chemours failed to report a chemical spill at its plant near Fayetteville, as required by its permit.
Chemours only recently acknowledged an October spill of dimer acid fluoride, a precursor to GenX, when questioned directly by state inspectors, who have been investigating the discharge of GenX into the river.
Concerns have been raised about the chemical compound GenX, an emerging and unregulated contaminant, since scientists discovered its presence in the river last year. The state is also testing groundwater of homes near the company's facility.
"People who are personally affected by the GenX crisis will be relieved to know that North Carolina's environmental regulators will hold polluters accountable for their actions," said Erin Carey, the NC Sierra Club's Coastal Programs Coordinator. "We are pleased that Governor Cooper and Secretary Regan have taken strong action today to protect public health and the environment."