DEQ-CFW_00080531

From: Kritzer, Jamie [/D=[XCHANG[LAB5/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=C[E9]C49D01445A]B541B8327DCDCD4O-JBKR|TZ[R]
Sent: 7/17/I0I75:30:50PW1
To: Smith, Ruth Ravhz[rsmbh@nhcgoxoom]
CC: Tarte,Phillip [[e-mail]]
Subject: R[: Courtesy Copy: Press conference on the state's GenX data and health assessment
Attachments 170717_|ettertoEPA re|ease.docx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17,ZO17
Contact: Ford Porter
Phone:[phone]OO
Email:
Governor Cooper Urges EPA to Set Limits for Emerging Contaminant
GenX
RALElGH: Federal officials must set limits for GenXand other emerging contaminants so that
North Carolina can permanently control its discharge and ensure the safety of its drinking
water, Governor Roy Cooper today told the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
In a letter to EPA Administrator E. Scott Pruitt, Gov. Cooper asked the EPA tomove more
ouickiv to finalize its health assessment and set a maximum contaminant level for the
OEQ-CFVV_00080531

unregulated chemical GenX.
"When we turn on the tap to get a drink, cook a meal for our family, or run a bath for our
children, we count on that water to be safe. North Carolina must have your help to make sure
the water is safe for millions of our families," Gov. Cooper wrote in the letter.
At the Governor's direction, the NC Department of Environmental Quality along with the NC
Department of Health and Human Services launched an investigation June 14 into the
presence of GenX in the Cape Fear River. The river serves as the primary source of drinking
water for Bladen, Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
The Cooper administration and others got Chemours, the chemical's manufacturer, to stop
discharging GenX into the Cape Fear. As a result, initial water tests being conducted by DEQ
show that levels of GenX in the water supply are down dramatically. State officials continue
to collect water samples, with samples being tested at an EPA lab in North Carolina and a
private lab in Colorado.
Additional action from the EPA is necessary in order for North Carolina to be able to
permanently require Chemours to limit or end discharge of GenX or any currently unregulated
chemical. Gov. Cooper is also pushing the EPA to revisit its existing consent order with
Chemours to apply to all releases of GenX.
In addition, the letter asks the EPA to use its authority under a federal law that regulates the
introduction of new chemicals, the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act, to examine wastewater
emissions more carefully and require multiple health studies for new chemicals.
"The water, health and welfare of the people of North Carolina require your protection now
from unregulated emerging contaminants like GenX, and I look forward to working with your
agency on this and a variety of water quality issues," Gov. Cooper wrote.
11 It I MWIL417-10 R I MV MAVAI UATRUAM ML - - I M 110 ratuol I
Read the letter here.
Governor.ric.go
Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Flickr
Jamie Kritzer
Communications Director
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
a19-707-8602
MOM
DEQ-CFW-00080532

m
From: Smith, Ruth Ravitz [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2017 2:16 PM
To: Kritzer, Jamie <jam ie.kritzer@ ncdenr.gov>
Cc: Tarte, Phillip <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Courtesy Copy: Press conference on the state's GenX data and health assessment
Can you get us a copy of the letter the governor sent to EPA please?
Thanks,R
Ruth Smith I Chief Communications Officer
County Manager - Office of Cornmunications and Outreach
New Hanover County
230 Government Center Drive, Suite 195
Wilmington, NC 28403
(9101 798-7177 p 1 (9101 798-7277 f
K,�,v w. n t i c c o �vc o � i�i
On Jul 17, 2017, at 12:25 PM, Kritzer, Jamie <jamie.kritzere.),iicdenr.gov> wrote:
Never mind. I see the NHCTV bit here.
Jamie Kritzer
Communications Director
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
919-707-8602
mzffl�=-.
"s S Recx,ol,_ La-a,-?d b-
From: Smith, Ruth Ravitz [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2017 10:12 AM
To: Kritzer, Jamie <jam ie.kritzer@ ncdenr.gov>; Young, Sarah <[e-mail]>
Cc: Tarte, Phillip <[e-mail]>
Subject: FW: Courtesy Copy: Press conference on the state's GenX data and health assessment
FYI —
DEQ-CFW-00080533

This -morning call. and. the one later today will be helpful to inforrn. our public update.
Thanks,
M
This is a courtesy copy of an email bulletin sent by Jessica Loeper.
This bulletin was sent to the following groups of people:
Subscribers of Commissioners News & Public Notices, GenX Updates from New Hanover County, Media List,
or News Releases, (2566 recipients)
For Immediate Release: New Hanover County
Communications and Outreach
[phone]
www.NewsNHC.com
1 111110411 1: 11 1 1
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC — New Hanover County will host a press conference today, Monday, July 17,
at 2:45 p.m. at the New Hanover County Historic Courthouse (24 North Third Street) ... Read More)>
SHARE
.........................................
... .... . .. . -
. . .... .... .... .. . .
vecom,
NHCGo
Manage your Subscriptions:
Manage Preferences I Contact Us I Unsubscribe
DEQ-CFW-00080534

You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please
contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.
Stay Connected:
13
Privacy Policy I Please note, email addresses received by New Hanover County may be considered public records under
North Carolina Law and essuch are subject topublic inspection. However, unless otherwise noted, New Hanover County
is not required to and will not provide copies of our subscribers' email address to the public.
GovOe|ivarybproviding this information nnbehalf nfNew Hanover County, and may not use the information for any other
Ruth Smith |Chief Communications Officer
County Manager - Office, ofCommuninatinnoand Outreach
New HmnovmrCounty
23QGovernment CsnbarDrivs.Suite 10S
Wilmington, NC 28408
[phone]p|[phone]f