In a move that has left environmental advocates, policymakers, and residents baffled, North Carolina regulators abruptly canceled a critical meeting on PFAS pollution—just hours before it was scheduled to begin. No explanation was provided, and the meeting’s agenda was swiftly removed from the state’s website, raising concerns about transparency in the state’s handling of the toxic “forever chemicals.”
The meeting, organized by the Environmental Management Commission’s (EMC) Water Quality Committee, was intended to address industrial discharges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and discuss regulatory oversight. It was also expected to help shape discussions for the full commission’s upcoming March 12-13 meeting.
However, without warning, the session was scrapped. Even members of the commission were caught off guard.
Confusion Among Commission Members
Commissioners themselves were left in the dark about the decision.
Robin Smith, an environmental policy expert and former assistant secretary at the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, learned of the cancellation only when contacted for comment. Bill Yarborough, another commissioner, also expressed surprise, stating that he had not received any explanation.
The lack of communication has fueled frustration among environmental advocates and lawmakers who have pushed for stricter PFAS regulations.
“Given the PFAS crisis that North Carolinians have already experienced, we deserve transparency and action,” said Jean Zhuang, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “If the commission fails to hold polluters accountable, the cost of cleanup will fall on North Carolina families through their water bills and medical expenses.”
A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which was scheduled to present at the meeting, confirmed that the agency was not responsible for the cancellation.
“DEQ did not make the decision to cancel today’s meeting,” the spokesperson said. “We were prepared to discuss key components of the PFAS Minimization Initiative and will now shift our focus to presenting draft rules at the March meeting.”
Political Power Shift in Environmental Oversight
The sudden cancellation comes at a time when North Carolina’s environmental regulatory landscape is undergoing significant political shifts.
Until recently, the governor appointed a majority of members to the Environmental Management Commission. However, in 2023, the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed legislation that redistributed appointment power, shifting more control to lawmakers.
• Previously, the governor appointed a majority of EMC members.
• Under the new law, the governor appoints seven members, while the General Assembly appoints six. Additionally, the state’s agriculture commissioner—currently a Republican—appoints two.
• Democratic Governor Roy Cooper challenged the law, but in March 2024, a three-judge panel upheld it, ruling that the executive branch still retains a majority of appointments across environmental regulatory bodies.
Critics argue that this shift has slowed regulatory action on PFAS, as industry-friendly policies have gained traction within the commission.
PFAS: A Growing Public Health Crisis
PFAS, a class of human-made chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products, have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer, developmental disorders, and immune dysfunction. These chemicals persist in the environment indefinitely, contaminating water supplies and food sources.
In North Carolina, PFAS contamination is a statewide crisis:
• 3.6 million residents are estimated to have PFAS-contaminated drinking water.
• Wilmington’s Cape Fear Public Utility Authority has already spent $75 million on filtration systems to remove PFAS.
• Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission is constructing a $92 million PFAS removal system.
• Up to 300 water systems statewide may require costly upgrades to comply with impending federal standards.
The financial burden of addressing PFAS contamination currently falls on local utilities and taxpayers, as industrial polluters remain largely unregulated.
Regulatory Delays: A Pattern of Inaction
The DEQ has advocated for stricter PFAS discharge regulations, but its proposals have faced repeated setbacks at the commission level.
• September 2024: DEQ presented draft surface water PFAS standards, but the EMC Water Quality Committee requested revisions, delaying a vote.
• November 2024: The committee rejected stricter regulations, opting instead for a non-binding “minimization plan” that does not establish enforceable pollution limits.
Now, with this latest cancellation, further delays are likely, leaving residents vulnerable to continued exposure.
What Happens Next?
Neither the EMC nor DEQ has provided a reason for the meeting’s cancellation, and no new date has been announced.
The next full Environmental Management Commission meeting is scheduled for March 12-13, where PFAS policies are expected to be revisited. However, advocates fear that without urgent action, North Carolina will continue to lag behind other states in addressing the growing public health threat posed by PFAS contamination.
For ongoing coverage of North Carolina’s environmental policies, stay tuned to the Bull City Citizen, your source for investigative journalism and in-depth reporting on issues that matter to our communities.
