DEQ-CFW_00081974

0 When was the first instance anyone from your administration discussed GenX in the Cape Fear
River with Chemours or anyone else?
* At any time did DEQ know about and/or approve the discharge of GenX? If not, please explain
the information related inaJune 29 news report stating, "state regulators said [hemuurs
informed them in its most recent discharge permit application and 'all previous applications'
that it was releasing GenX and other related substances from the Fayetteville Works plant into
the Cape Fear River, a process that has occurred since 1980."
DEQ Secretary Michael Regan has publicly said Chemours did not break the law. In light of
this, What
exactly isthe S8| investigating?
* Your administration said in June that the safe level of GenX in drinking water was 70,909 parts
per trillion. Then, just one month later, your department revised the safe level to 140 parts per
trillion — 500 times less than the original projection. What is the explanation for this change? Are
there scientific studies or reports that support this change? Please identify those reports.
* In June, DEQ said all discharges of GenX at the Chemours plant had stopped. But water sampling
in July found concentrations of GenX — concentrations still above the level deemed to be safe.
OEQ-CFVV_00081974

Can the public have confidence inD8Qwhen it says this chemical bnolonger being discharged
in the water? What assurances can you give that it has stopped and when?
Are you aware that your administration does not need to wait for the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to set regulatory standards for GenX or other constituents? Are you aware that
DE[\already regulates anumber ofchemicals without federal standards?
� Are you aware that modifications made to G.S. 15013-19.3 in Session Law 2011-398 allow your
administration to adopt any rule necessary to address "a serious and unforeseen threat to the
public health, safety, orxve|fare?"
We understand DEQ recently received a federal criminal subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's
Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina. Have any other agencies or individuals in the
Executive Branch received a similar subpoena? Has the governor's office received a subpoena in
this matter? For the purposes of transparency, would your administration be willing to share all
the public documents that will be submitted to the U.S. Attorney as a result of these
w Given that Chemours previously announced it will voluntarily discontinue discharging GenX into
the Cape Fear River, how will additional funding for DEQ and DHHS affect the dumping of GenX
into the river?
� What specific use of the requested funds will be directed to improving water quality in areas
already affected by GenX? How will that use of funds affect water quality in areas already
* Why has DEQ not issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) under the Clean Water Act to Chemours?
Regarding the costs for long-term water sampling for GenX, are you suggesting that Chemours
should not be required to bear these costs as a result of the settlement of the NOV?
* Regarding the request for additional staff for DEQ,vveknow the department currently employs
many individuals that perform non -regulatory functions not involving the implementation of
federal orstate environmental quality programs. Anexample ofthis isthe "Office ofInnovation"
that was just created by Secretary Regan. Rather than using taxpayer funds to create additional
government employees, could some of these individuals performing non -regulatory duties be
shifted to assist with the permitting backlog and other regulatory functions that have been
neglected?
Regarding the request for additional staff for DHHS,weknow both DE(}and DHH8currently
employ accomplished and well -respected toxicologists that have been protecting North
Carolinians for decades. Can you explain why these existing toxicologists are no longer able to
satisfactorily perform this function under the supervision of your cabinet secretaries, and the
need to create new "Science Advisory Board" to supervisetheir k?
DEQ and DHHS have made the GenX investigation a top priority. All available time and resources
OEQ-CFVV_00081975