The NC Chamber is pushing to delay the progress of proposed limits of forever chemical pollution in ground and surface water.
The commission has scheduled informational sessions on the rules for a fourth time, instead of an action item that Biser said would start the 18-month-minimum process for the standards to become official.
“This is not the first time we brought this forward to them, so they have had ample opportunity to ask questions and receive information,” Biser said.
“There is a multitude of scientific literature that proves the health impacts associated with these chemicals, along with the toxicity data and the other bioaccumulation factors that we need in order to set standards,” Biser said.
“On behalf of the business community, we urge NC DEQ and the NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to delay any action until we receive appropriate studies and have greater clarity on the benefits and cost of regulation,” NC Chamber president Gary Salamido wrote.
Biser says the proposed rules have already been in discussion for two years. The process, once started by the EMC, will include a fiscal note that outlines costs and benefits as well as opportunities for input from the public, commission members, and other stakeholders.
“My frustration here is yet another delay,” Biser said. “The sooner we act to reduce the flow of PFAS into the environment from surface and groundwater, the better chance we’re going to have at reducing the cost on the resident side.”
Emily Donovan, who founded Clean Cape Fear after Chemours PFAS chemicals were found in the drinking water supply, says the cost burden of cleaning up PFAS should fall on the polluters.
Donovan says she’s seen rates increase after the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority spent $46 million to upgrade its system to remove PFAS.
“Why are we suffering from cancer and footing the bill, while chemical companies profit?,” Donovan said.
Water systems will have five years to comply with federal PFAS drinking water standards that will require at least 18% of the state’s utilities to install expensive filtration systems to remove six of the chemicals from drinking water.
The NC Chamber declined requests for an interview, but said in a statement: “The business community is made up of the people who live in communities across our state, these people, and these businesses, pay the bills and enjoy the clean air and water with their families.”
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, North Carolina is the third highest state for PFAS exposure. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has also found high levels of PFOS and other PFAS chemicals in freshwater fish.
The NC Chamber did not respond to questions about financial support from manufacturers of PFAS.