Pender County opposes Chemours expansion, urges EPA and DEQ to deny permit
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Summary
The board adopted a resolution urging the EPA and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to deny Chemours’ permit to expand the Fayetteville Works facility unless remediation, compliance and independent data demonstrate no increased PFAS emissions or discharges to the Cape Fear River.
The Pender County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 adopted a resolution formally opposing the proposed expansion of the Chemours/Federal Works facility, citing concerns about PFAS contamination of the Cape Fear River and potential public‑health impacts.
Vice Chair George introduced the resolution, which notes that the Cape Fear River serves as the primary drinking-water source for approximately 500,000 North Carolinians in the region and that discharges from the DuPont/Chemours facility have resulted in widespread PFAS contamination, including the chemical class often referenced as GenX. The resolution expresses concern about public health, environmental quality and costs to local utilities for treatment. It urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to deny any permit for the expansion unless Chemours demonstrates remediation of existing contamination, full compliance with consent orders and evidence — from an independent source — that any proposed operations would not increase PFAS releases.
The resolution also asks the company to provide documentation of financial compensation to affected local governments and utilities for treatment and remediation costs, and encourages Chemours to adopt best available control technologies and engage transparently with affected communities.
The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote.
Ending: The resolution is a formal expression of the county’s opposition and a request for federal and state regulators to withhold permit approval pending remediation and demonstrable controls; staff did not record any immediate regulatory action taken by the county beyond the resolution and referral to regulators.