The Pro-Polluter Majority Missed Important Opportunities to Protect North Carolinians
The North Carolina General Assembly once again failed to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – cancer-causing chemicals – despite bipartisan support and clear scientific evidence of their dangerous prevalence in our environment. Their neglect has real-life consequences.
Most Toxic Types of PFAS Found in Elementary School
While these leaders failed to act, scientists discovered 14 types of PFAS in the drinking water at Farmer Elementary School in Randolph County. Testing showed two of the most toxic types of forever chemicals – PFOS and PFOA – at “144 and 233 times greater than federal limits, respectively.” Elementary school children, faculty and staff have been drinking poisoned water for decades. Yet the pro-polluters at the legislature failed to act. How many other elementary schools’ water sources are contaminated with PFAS? How many more will it take to finally convince these leaders to act?
The time is long overdue to protect ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren from these harmful chemicals.
Federal Action Taken; State Efforts Hindered
In 2024, the federal government took action and established the first-ever national drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful PFAS. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates their actions will reduce PFAS pollution for 100 million people across the nation, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.
Yet the pro-polluting majority and their appointees at the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) moved in the opposite direction. Caving to the lobbying pressure of polluters, the EMC stalled PFAS limits in groundwater and surface water. The EMC alleged costs to the companies to install filtration systems could be too much. But the intended purpose of this commission is not to protect companies’ profits, especially when those companies knowingly pollute our environment. Its purpose is to protect our water, our air, and our people. This is particularly concerning because many of these EMC members own stocks in these polluting companies. Instead of padding their own pockets, they should be serving and protecting hard-working families and communities.
Governor Cooper and Pro-Environmental Legislators Step Up
Conversely, Governor Cooper prioritized North Carolinians by addressing the growing issue of PFAS contamination and proclaiming June 3rd-7th PFAS Awareness Week in North Carolina. “Based on all available data, more than 300 water systems in our state have PFAS levels that will exceed the new [federal] standards,” he announced. “That includes 42 municipal water systems serving nearly 3 million residents combined, as well as approximately 20% of small public water systems tested.”
Meanwhile, many environmentally conscious legislators tried to pass laws to address the issue. Representative Deb Butler successfully included an amendment (80-29) to the House’s version of the budget, which could have directed $2.1 million to support the prevention, removal, and study of these forever chemicals. Unfortunately, the pro-polluter majority in the Senate removed this amendment in the final budget.
Similarly, Representative John Autry proposed Amendment 11 to S.B. 607 – known as the “Regulatory Reform Act of 2024” – which could have banned “the manufacture and sale of covered products containing intentionally added PFAS.” During the debate on the House Floor, Autry said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, here’s an opportunity to do something really good for North Carolinians. Let’s stop poisoning ourselves by allowing these products to do that to us. Please vote green on this amendment.” Despite all the evidence and support, pro-polluter legislators narrowly defeated the bill (49-50).
Even Republican legislators tried to move legislation through committees, but the pro-polluter leadership decided once again to turn a blind eye to the families struggling with the health effects from these chemicals. These legislators have proved again and again that as long as they lead the General Assembly, efforts to address PFAS will continue to fail.
Know the Score: See the 2024 Scorecard
To see how your legislators scored, and to learn more about the 2024 bills and votes, see the full 2024 Scorecard.
