NC S460

Establish a PFAS Task Force within the Department of Environmental Quality to conduct comprehensive analysis of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including GenX and 1,4-Dioxane in the Lower Cape Fear River Basin counties (Cumberland, Bladen, Columbus, Brunswick, and New Hanover).

Task Force shall identify responsible parties for PFAS discharge, develop a biomonitoring study program in consultation with Department of Health and Human Services, and formulate maximum allowable health standards for PFAS exposure, with a default "precautionary" standard of 10 ppt if no science-based guidelines exist.

Task Force must complete its work by April 30, 2024, and submit quarterly reports to the Environmental Review Commission beginning September 1, 2022; Department of Environmental Quality shall report recommendations to Joint Legislative Oversight Committee by March 1, 2022.

Authorize the Secretary of Environmental Quality to order responsible parties to establish permanent replacement water supplies for affected households, businesses, schools, and public buildings, with preference for public water connections or filtration systems if cost-effective.

Allocate $300 million from the Savings Reserve Account to the General Fund for 2021-2022 fiscal year to immediately install filtration systems for all identified affected parties, with the Department seeking cost recovery from responsible parties.