Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) led Members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation in requesting answers from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan regarding the Agency's decision to allow Chemours to import GenX from their overseas facility to their facility in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

In a letter sent to Mr. Regan, the Members wrote, "It is concerning this has been allowed given the presence of toxic chemicals in our communities’ drinking water resulting in contamination in at least eight counties in the Cape Fear River Basin.  To this day, we still do not fully know the scope of the presence and impact of these chemicals.  It should be no surprise that we find the news of these imported chemicals to the Fayetteville Works facility where extensive water contamination has occurred for years to be disturbing."

In October of 2021, the EPA announced plans to add GenX as a hazardous substance under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).  Around the same time, the EPA issued its Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment for GenX, which showed potential for adverse health impacts.  The Members outlined how this should have triggered a change in the process for importing GenX and led the EPA to notify the State.

The Members further emphasized, "while we understand the EPA is not required by RCRA to notify a State when approving the import of non-hazardous chemicals, the lack of transparency and proactive notification is problematic and a breach of common courtesy at best….One could easily argue it was a breach of responsibility."

Congressman Rouzer was joined by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09).

The Members laid out a list of six questions for EPA to respond to and requested copies of all communications between EPA staff regarding the decision to import this contaminated waste.

Read the full letter here.