HB 1095 - PFAS Pollution and Polluter Liability Summary

• Authorizes the Environmental Management Commission to establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water that are technologically and economically feasible, set as close as possible to recommended goals.

• Requires the Department to recommend MCL goals based on systemic threshold concentrations and carcinogenic risk levels (1x10-6 for cancer-causing compounds), using specified EPA and scientific references in order of preference.

• Empowers the Secretary to order PFAS manufacturers responsible for contamination to pay public water systems' actual costs to remove, treat, or abate PFAS contamination, with joint and several liability among responsible parties.

• Establishes permissible concentration levels of 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for individual PFAS compounds and 70 ppt combined total, with authority to enforce through superior court action calendared for trial within 60 days.

• Appropriates $2 million to the Department of Environmental Quality and $2 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Collaboratory for research and implementation, with joint reporting requirements to the Legislature by December 15, 2022 and annually thereafter.