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From: Governor Cooper's Press Office [[e-mail]]
Sent: 7/24/20172:40:14PN1
To: Kritzer, Jamie [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=ExchangeAdministrative Group
(FYD|BOHFI]3PDLT)/cn=Kecipients/cn=cee93c49dO1445a]b54Ibb]I7dcdc84O-jbkhtzed
Subject: MEMO: Water Quality State Action Items
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Office o[Governor Roy Cooper
DATE: July 24,2017
RE: Water Quality State Action Items
InJune, Governor Cooper directed the state Department of Environmental Quality along with
the state Department ofHealth and Human Services to launch an investigation into
Chemoucs'discharge ofthe compound known asGenX.Governor Cooper and his
administration were successful in getting Chemours'to stop the release of GenX. Since then,
the level of GenX in the water has been trending downward and tests are ongoing to ensure
the levels continue Uomove inthat direction.
Today in Wilmington, after meeting with local, state and federal officials, Governor Cooper
announced next steps that the state will take to protect the drinking water in North Carolina
and to get answers for people in the Lower Cape Fear. Below is a recap of those next steps.
SBI Investigation
Governor Cooper has directed the State Bureau ofInvestigation's Diversion and
Environmental Crimes Unit to assess whether a criminal investigation is warranted. The SBI
will work with its partners at the state Department nfEnvironmental Quality and federal EPA
to determine if there is evidence of criminal violations of the permit or the federal consent
order that is in place.
Denial of Chemmours' Permit Application
Chemours isinthe process ofapplying for anew NPDES(National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System) permit, a federal permit program that controls water pollution and is
managed by North Carolina DEQ. Today, Governor Cooper announced that DEQ will deny
Chemours'permit request to release GenX, issuing a new draft permit that prevents GenX
release. Acknowledging the potential for other possibly harmful compounds, Chemoursdraft
permit will include a clause authorizing the state to quickly re -open the permit if needed to
regulate and enforce levels of any of emerging compounds based on new scientific findings.
Public Health Assessment
Governor Cooper spoke with the Director of the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention,
Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, to request public health assessment Unreview any potential long-
term health effects of GenX. Chemours disclosed that they have been discharging GenX as a
byproduct from another manufacturing process since 1980. The CDC has the expertise
needed to conduct complex exposure modeling that will give citizens a better understanding
of any potential health risks from the last 30 years. Dr. Fitzgerald told the governor the CDC
will begin these studies. Local, state and federal authorities will need Unwork together 0n
provide all available data tothe CDC.
Engaging the EPA
Governor Cooper has spoken directly with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to request that the
EPA move swiftly oncompleting ahealth assessment Uohelp set regulatory standards. They
also discussed the consent order that allowed Chemours; to release GenX in the first place,
and the EPA is looking into whether that order needs Uo be updated and tightened.
Science Advisory Board
Governor Cooper acknowledged that GenX is not the only compound that could potentially
affect water quality. To tackle issues surrounding unregulated emerging compounds and
overall water safety, Governor Cooper is expanding the scope of the reconstituted Science
Advisory Board to review the research and assist the state in addressing water quality.
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Enhance Disclosure and Monitoring
North Carolina DEQ will make changes to its permit application process that require
will also require additional monitoring of unregulated pollutants for the purposes of
ieveloping water quality standards and improved transparency. The results of additional
monitoring will be shard with DEQ and DHHS on a regular basis.
Investing Resources to Prioritize Safe Water
Governor Cooper highlighted the need for more state experts 0uwork on protecting North
Carolina's water. Heannounced that when the legislature returns in August, he will push
legislation with specific requests to the General Assembly for enhanced staffing to handle
water safety.
For DEOthat will include arequest for more inspectors, engineers, environmental speciaUsts
and chemists; resources to conduct long term GenX sampling; and a reversal of this year's
harmful budget provisions that required over$1 million in budget cuts. For DHHSthat will
include request for resources 0oestablish aVVater Health Safety Unit in the Division of
Public Health that would include two senior scientists, a data analyst and a health educator.
Bottom Line
AaGovernor Cooper said in Wilmington today, he has directed state employees to work on
this issue as though their own family members were drinking this water every day. The safety
of drinking water — not just in Wilmington, but statewide — is a top priority for Governor
Cooper, and he will continue to push for answers and solutions. The governor expects to be
back in the Lower Cape Fear region in the coming weeks, and will continue hostay updated
through regular briefings.
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Governor Cooper's Press Office
GovmrnnrCnopmrnPress Off ice
118West JooassD,
Rm!eigh, NC 27,303
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