The agreement integrates civil penalties and mitigation ventures connected to PFAS emissions and drinking water programs.
The Chemours Company, a Wilmington, Delaware-based chemical producers, has reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) to solve claims associated with PFAS discharges and environmental compliance problems at 3 working sites.
Under the settlement, Chemours pays $22.5 million in civil penalties to the EPA and WVDEP over 3-years and fund an additional $90-million in mitigation ventures over 15 years, as per the company. The ventures are supposed to reduce PFAS emissions and assist present off-site drinking water programs.
The settlement covers claims associated with PFAS discharges and different alleged non-compliance actions primarily including Chemours’ Washington Works facility in West Virginia, Fayetteville Works facility in North Carolina and Chambers Works facility in New Jersey. The agreement also includes certain environmental claims introduced by the state of West Virginia.
Chemours said the settlement identifies operational improvement and remediation efforts already in progress at its centers and establishes additional actions to handle future emissions and compliance needs.
The company stated mitigation activities will consist of enlargement of current off-site drinking water programs in West Virginia, Ohio and New Jersey. Chemours anticipates the enlarged programs to boost its present environmental reserves.
The agreement follows current regulatory and legal developments including PFAS oversight. Last week, federal appeals court ruled in favor of Chemours in a case including its Washington Works facility, repealing a preliminary injunction associated with PFAS discharge claims. The ruling followed ongoing discussions around federal PFAS policies and enforcement necessities.
Chemours stated the settlement gives additional clarity around future compliance obligations at the same time as assisting persisted production operations and environmental improvement efforts.
