Coalition Claims Chemical Company Violated 2023 EPA Agreement
The West Virginia Rivers Coalition filed a federal lawsuit against Chemours on December 5, 2024, alleging violations of a 2023 Environmental Protection Agency agreement regarding PFAS discharge. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, the lawsuit targets pollution from Chemours’ Washington Works plant near Parkersburg. The environmental group seeks civil penalties of $66,000 per day per violation, claiming the company exceeded permitted levels of forever chemicals released into the Ohio River.
5 Key Points
- West Virginia Rivers Coalition filed a federal lawsuit on December 5 over PFAS pollution.
- The lawsuit alleges that Chemours violated the 2023 EPA agreement on chemical discharge.
- Washington Works plant exceeded permitted PFAS levels in the Ohio River.
- Environmental group seeks $66,000 daily penalties per violation.
- The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
PFAS Violations Prompt Federal Action Against Chemical Plant
During environmental monitoring of the Ohio River, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition discovered PFAS discharge violations at Chemours’ Washington Works plant near Parkersburg. The EPA’s 2023 agreement required Chemours to limit its release of these “forever chemicals,” but testing revealed the plant exceeded permitted discharge levels. The coalition’s legal filing documents multiple violations of the agreement, leading to Thursday’s lawsuit in the Southern District of West Virginia federal court. “Chemours says it is committed to being a good neighbor,” the company stated in response to the litigation, though it did not address specific allegations about PFAS discharge levels.
Environmental Coalition Seeks Substantial Daily Penalties
The December 5 lawsuit demands immediate enforcement of the 2023 EPA agreement and requests civil penalties of $66,000 per day for each documented violation. The West Virginia Rivers Coalition filed the action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, targeting the Washington Works facility’s continued discharge of PFAS into regional waterways. The legal complaint outlines how Chemours’ actions affected the Ohio River watershed, potentially impacting downstream communities. The coalition’s filing emphasizes the need for strict adherence to environmental regulations designed to protect public waterways from chemical contamination.
2023 EPA Agreement Set Discharge Limits
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established specific PFAS discharge limits for the Washington Works plant through a 2023 agreement with Chemours. This agreement followed EPA investigations that identified excessive releases of these persistent chemicals into the Ohio River. The Washington Works facility, located near Parkersburg in Wood County, operates under permits that restrict the quantity of PFAS it can discharge into local waterways. The EPA’s intervention aimed to address long-standing concerns about chemical contamination from the plant, which has operated in the region for decades.
Federal Oversight Targets Chemical Safety Compliance
The EPA’s 2023 agreement with Chemours established mandatory monitoring and reporting requirements for PFAS discharge at the Washington Works facility. Located in Wood County along the Ohio River, the plant must maintain detailed records of chemical releases and implement specific containment measures. The West Virginia Rivers Coalition’s lawsuit claims these requirements were not met, leading to excessive PFAS levels in local waterways. If successful, the legal action could force immediate compliance with federal guidelines and impose substantial financial penalties on the chemical manufacturer.
FAQ
Q: Can I file a lawsuit if I was harmed by contaminated water?
A: If you or a loved one suffered health issues due to contaminated water, legal options may be available. Contact our legal experts to learn about your rights and start a free, confidential case review.
Q: What are PFAS, and why are they called “forever chemicals”?
A: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment without breaking down, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”
Q: Where is the Chemours plant located?
A: The Washington Works plant is near Parkersburg in Wood County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River.
Q: What penalties does the lawsuit seek?
A: The lawsuit requests civil penalties of $66,000 per day for each violation, plus court costs.
Q: What was the 2023 EPA agreement about?
A: The agreement required Chemours to address and limit PFAS water pollution from its Washington Works plant after the EPA found discharge levels exceeding permit limits.
Q: Who filed the lawsuit?
A: The West Virginia Rivers Coalition filed the federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Citations
Tate, Curtis (December 6, 2024). Lawsuit Filed Over PFAS Discharge From Chemours Plant. West Virginia Public Broadcasting. https://wvpublic.org/lawsuit-filed-over-pfas-discharge-from-chemours-plant/
