DEQ-CFW_00084076

Michael S. Regan, Secretary
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Release: PdMEDIATE Contact: Jamie Kritzer
Date: Sept. 8, 2017 Phone: [phone]
RALEIGH — State officials today will ask a Bladen Countyjudge to order Chemours to immediately stop
discharging Nafion byproducts and continue preventing discharges of GenX.
A hearing on the state's motion for a temporary restraining order against Chemours is scheduled for I p.m. in Bladen
County Superior Court.
The N.C. Department of Justice on Thursday filed a civil complaint outlining the N.C. Department of Environmental
Quality's case against Chemours.
The complaint states that the company failed for decades to disclose in state permits and discourse with DEQ
officials information about the chemicals, including GenX, that it has been discharging as part of its waste stream.
"By failing to disclose the presence of GenX and related compounds in its discharge," the complaint states, "Chemours has
caused a state of public alarm and uncertainty regarding the safety of public drinking water."
Beyond the request for a temporary restraining order, the complaint asks the court to issue an injunction
requiring Chemours to:
0 Eliminate the discharge of fluorinated substances, including GenX and related compounds and Nafion byproducts I
and 2, two chemicals that were identified at elevated levels in the company's waste stream, until DEQ issues a permit
allowing such discharges.
• Remove, treat or control any source of fluorinated compounds that has the potential to contaminate groundwater.
• Complete site assessment activities and submit to the state a plan and schedule for corrective action to address
surface water and groundwater violations, as required by state law.
0 Comply with all the requests for information DEQ has made of the company since the investigation started.
A court hearing on the injunction would be held at a later date. The pursuit of a court order reinforces actions DEQ took
earlier this week when it notified Chemours that the state has begun the process to Suspend the company's wastewater
permit for failure to adequately disclose the release of GenX into the river. The permit governs Chemours' discharge of
wastewater from its Fayetteville facility and without it, the company cannot release any wastewater into the Cape Fear
River. Under the law, DEQ must give the company a 60-day notice before suspending the permit. DEQ's letter
requires Chemours to meet several orders or face the suspension of its permit,
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DEQ-CFW-00084076