Secretary Elizabeth Biser

It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your @NCDEQ Secretary. I’m so proud of the work this team has done and will continue to do to protect public health and the environment for all North Carolinians. newsobserver.com/news/politics-…

Read the full letter here: deq.nc.gov/environmental-…

As the EMC begins its meetings today to consider the @NCDEQ proposed standards for PFAS in surface and groundwater, I have sent the following letter to the EMC clarify mischaracterizations and misunderstandings contained in a recent @NCChamber letter on this subject.

These standards will keep residents from bearing the full cost of cleaning up contamination that they didn’t cause. Follow along here: deq.nc.gov/about/division…

While the IMACs provide another tool in our toolbox, we continue to pursue statewide standards for PFAS. The EMC has a chance to act on groundwater and surface water standards for PFAS today to protect the public health and financial wellbeing of North Carolinians.

Last week, in response to a resident request, @NCDEQ opened a public comment period for interim maximum allowable concentrations (IMACs) for 8 PFAS in groundwater. These IMACs serve as interim standards for groundwater remediation that is protective of public health.

I was glad to visit NC’s @SWANA chapter today to share how @NCDEQ is addressing PFAS and what to look for with the upcoming release of our 2024-2034 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan. These actions show that a healthy economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand.

ECOS President @SecretaryBiser of @NCDEQ & ECOS Executive Director Ben Grumbles join the @ELIORG podcast to discuss how states are leading the way in environmental protection. Listen here: eli.org/podcasts

Today, my term as President of @ECOStates came to a close after a very full year. I am so proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am grateful for the trust and engagement of my colleagues across the country.

I am grateful for the partnership of Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe as @ECOStates and @EPA work together to protect public health and the environment. Enjoyed our discussion— and the chance to exchange tokens of appreciation— today at #ECOSFall24.

Recycling is a great example of how a healthy environment supports a healthy economy— in NC alone, over 15,700 private sector jobs are supported by the recycling industry. SWIFR funding is helping us collect data and target future investment to build on these positive impacts.

It’s not every day that all 50 states opt into a grant program, but that’s exactly what happened with the SWIFR grants. Glad to highlight the work being done across the country with these funds and the continued need for federal support for recycling. #ECOSFall24

In North Carolina, we will continue to pursue state surface and groundwater standards for PFAS that are a necessary complement to the federal drinking water standards established by @EPA to protect the public health and financial wellbeing of our residents.

I appreciated learning more about how other states are managing PFAS in surface water, as well as approaches for disposal and destruction. We must address the full lifecycle of PFAS to keep residents from bearing the full costs of contamination that they didn’t cause.

This afternoon’s #ECOSFall24 sessions focus on PFAS, including a panel about how we can ensure responsible use of PFAS and prevent future PFAS contamination. We know that source reduction is the most cost-effective solution.

Thrilled to join many of my state colleagues in Rhode Island with @ECOStates this week. I am looking forward to many productive conversations and opportunities for collaboration— and exploring the unique natural environment with our hosts @RhodeIslandDEM! #ECOSFall24

North Carolina has long been at the forefront of addressing PFAS, becoming a leader by necessity. This listing will complement the efforts of @EPA and states to clean up PFAS in the environment by making it possible to tackle a critical part of the PFAS lifecycle.

The science is clear: air pollution impacts water quality. North Carolina has seen the effects of PFAS air emissions, with thousands of private drinking water wells being contaminated by PFAS pollution that’s transported through air – even as far as 25+ miles from the source.

I am proud to share that today, in partnership with @NewJerseyDEP and @NMEnvDep, we submitted a petition to @EPA to add 4 PFAS chemicals to the list of Hazardous Air Pollutants under the Clean Air Act—taking another step for the protection of public health and the environment.

Enjoyed visiting Trenton Elementary to deliver boxes of school supplies collected by our @NCDEQ team as part of the Governor’s School Supply Drive! It was great to meet the students, read a book together, and hear their ideas on how they can protect the environment! 🍎 🌎