Wilmington, NC – The Wilmington City Council unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday night, November 6, in opposition to Chemours’ proposed Fayetteville Works facility expansion in Bladen County, reflecting deep community concerns about PFAS chemical contamination.
Background
Over 500,000 residents in the region have been exposed to contaminated drinking water due to the discharge of PFAS chemicals by Chemours and its predecessor DuPont into the Cape Fear River at the Fayetteville Works plant since the 1980s. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies these “forever chemicals” as Group 1 carcinogens.
Expansion Plan Controversy
Chemours recently submitted a revised permit application to the North Carolina DEQ to expand two Vinyl Ethers production units at the facility. The company claims:
- The expansion will raise production capacity by 50%
- Additional granular activated carbon treatment systems will be installed
- Overall, PFAS air emissions will be reduced by about 15%
However, those claims have been met with skepticism by environmental advocates and local officials. Kemp Burdette, the executive director of Cape Fear River Watch, said Chemours has a history of underestimating its air emissions and omitted relevant data related to the potential for additional emissions in its most recent application. Environmental groups believe the company could emit over one additional ton of PFAS into the air annually if the expansion is approved.
Resolution Demands
The resolution passed by Wilmington City Council calls for:
- The North Carolina DEQ, U.S. EPA, and other relevant regulatory agencies deny any permits or approvals related to this expansion.
- Approval will be considered only after Chemours fully remediates existing contamination and demonstrates a sustained, transparent commitment to environmental and public health protection.
- Chemours is committed to meaningful dialogue with affected communities, full disclosure of all relevant environmental data, and prioritizing the health and safety of North Carolina residents.
Personal Story Drives Action
The opposing resolution was sponsored by Council Member Salette Andrews, a cancer survivor whose own son died at age 22. He had been an Army veteran, stationed in Iraq, where toxic burn pits and firefighting chemicals containing PFAS, led to his death from cancer. Andrews said: “Protecting our drinking water and environment from harmful chemicals has been a priority focus for me.”
Economic Burden
The economic costs of Chemours’ pollution have been enormous for local governments and residents. Because of PFAS and GenX contaminants coming from the Fayetteville Works facility, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority invested $43 million to build a granular activated carbon filtration system at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant. The authority also passed a similar opposition resolution and continues to pursue its lawsuit against Chemours.
Company Response
Chemours spokesperson Jess Loizeaux said the company respects the right of Wilmington City Council members to have an opinion, but it seems counterintuitive to them to oppose a permit application that will ultimately lower PFAS air emissions. The company highlighted that the vinyl ethers manufactured are building blocks for many critical chemicals in semiconductor chips, defense systems, batteries, aviation components, and more, while stating it has invested over $400 million to lower PFAS emissions.
Future Developments
Councilman David Joyner says that the legal team for the city of Wilmington will back the litigation efforts against Chemours by the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority. Drinking water has been treated through activated carbon filters, but new analyses show that ultra-short-chain PFAS continue to be discharged in alarming quantities and have been detected in Wilmington’s finished drinking water.
This resolution expresses the determination of local government regarding environmental protection and public health. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing Chemours’ expansion application.
