Rep. Butler files bill to require Chemours to remove PFAS
By Frances Weller | March 26, 2021 at 5:44 PM EDT – Updated March 26 at 6:23 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover) says its time the company responsible for releasing toxic chemicals into the Cape Fear River pays up. She’s the primary sponsor of a bill that would require Chemours to pay for equipment used to remove PFAS.
Rep. Butler knows she’s in for a fight.
“I am under no delusions. It’s going to face some uphill battles because let’s face it — there are big forces, big corporate forces, who will be vehemently opposed to it,” she says. “But that’s okay. We need to have this dialogue. I promised the citizens of New Hanover County that I was going to fight for clean water. And so, while I recognize that there are folks who will try to undermine this bill, I’m still going to file it.”
The Chemours Company has come under fire for years for polluting the Cape Fear River with GenX.
Rep. Butler is the primary sponsor of the bill that would require the company pay for the equipment needed to remove the toxins. Secondary sponsors include representatives from Greensboro, Charlotte and Fayetteville. She was unsuccessful in getting support from Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover). Rep. Davis, who serves as senior chairman of the House Special Select Committee on River Water Quality, declined her offer to co-sponsor the bill.
“Clean water is fundamental to life,” Rep. Butler says. “Everybody who lives needs clean drinking water. And, how dare they contaminate the public trust resources? They did it for generations and I believe that they knew it. Rate payers should not have to pay for removing this PFAS from our drinking water. It’s not healthy. We’ve got to get it out of there and Chemours should pay for it.”
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