DuPont, along with Chemours and Corteva, has agreed to a $2 billion settlement with the state of New Jersey to address PFAS contamination at four industrial sites.
This settlement, announced on Monday, includes an $875 million payment to the state and a commitment to a $1.2 billion remediation fund for cleanup efforts. The settlement is the largest environmental settlement ever achieved by a single US state, according to the Sierra Club.
The settlement resolves claims related to PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” and other pollutants at the following four sites:
- Pompton Lakes Works, in Pompton Lakes and Wanaque, Passaic County.
- Parlin site, in Sayreville, Middlesex County.
- Repauno site, in Greenwich Township, Gloucester County.
- Chambers Works, in Pennsville and Carney’s Point, Salem County.
The remediation fund will ensure the companies are responsible for cleaning up the contamination, and a separate $475 million reserve fund is established to protect against potential bankruptcy of the companies. The settlement comes after months of trial and is a result of the state’s efforts to hold companies accountable for environmental damage.
This settlement builds on previous successes, bringing New Jersey’s total recovery from PFAS lawsuits to approximately $3 billion since 2019. It comes amid a national focus on PFAS contamination and ongoing efforts to hold chemical companies accountable for the health and environmental risks associated with these chemicals. New Jersey has been particularly proactive in addressing PFAS contamination, being the first state to set drinking water standards for certain PFAS compounds.
This settlement is seen as a major victory for environmental protection and accountability, setting a strong precedent for future litigation and remediation efforts related to PFAS contamination across the country.
NJSpotlight News interview with NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette
New Jersey reaches PFAS settlement with DuPont (WHYY)
Chemical Makers to Pay N.J. $875 Million to Settle ‘Forever Chemicals’ Claims (NY Times)
If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please do not take our word for it, try it free for a full month
