7 days ago
New Jersey announces $2B forever chemical deal with DuPont companies
DuPont and a handful of related companies have agreed to provide New Jersey with more than $2 billion to clean up pollution, pay for environmental damages and settle multiple lawsuits with the state, Attorney General Matt Platkin and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette announced Monday.
It's the largest such environmental settlement by a single state, the officials said.
As part of the deal, which requires court approval and would include a quarter-century of payments, the DuPont companies would set aside up to $1.2 billion for cleanup at four New Jersey industrial sites, plus establish a separate 'backstop fund' in case companies try to renege on those obligations, according to state officials.
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The companies will also pay $875 million in damages related to PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals that DuPont and others manufactured. These pervasive and persistent synthetic chemicals, which are tied to cancer and other ailments, are now widespread in drinking water supplies and human blood.
