Document 93kjbakegrQpyG6dvvMaNbVxR

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 12/8/2017 4:55:58 PM Catherine Clabbyi Ex. 6 Press [/o=ExchangIbs7=E'xchhge' A'dmhisfrtlve Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] RE: Request for information regarding new PFAS programming Cathy, th at investigation is ongoing. From: Catherine Clabbyi Ex. 6 j Sent: Friday, December 08, 2017 :5 4 AM To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> Cc: Press <Press@epa.gov> Subject: Re: Request for information regarding new PFAS programming Super. Thank you Enesta. One more question. You told me some months ago that EPA was evaluating whether Chemours, and I assume DuPont, did not comply with the 2009 consent decree that allowed the companies to produce GenX as long as no more than 1 percent was released into the environment. What is the status of that review? Best wishes again, Cathy Catherine Clabby I Journalist Ex. 6 ISicathyclabby On Dec 8, 2017, at 11:47 AM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@,epa.gov> wrote: Hi Cathy, attributable to an EPA spokesperson: EPA is working to identify near-term actions that the agency can take to address PFAS in the environment and help support local communities. The agency will also be working to identify and enhance coordination with our federal partners, the states and tribes. Over the years, EPA has coordinated with other federal agencies including DOD, HHS, and FDA on the PFOA/PFOS health advisories and other efforts related to PFAS. We have also worked closely with states and tribes on sitespecific/local issues. Within the agency, EPA's water and research offices are leading these efforts and they will bring together expertise from across the agency and from throughout the regions. The PFAS press release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-launches-cross-agency-effort-address-pfas I'll be sure to add you to the PFAS press release distribution list. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00001 From: Catherine Ciabby i Ex. 6 i Sent: Friday, December 08, 2 0 7 8:46 AM To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@ epa.gov> Cc: Press < Press@ epa.gov> Subject: Request for information regarding new PFAS programming Hello Enesta. Cathy Ciabby here, from North Carolina Health News. You and I have corresponded before regarding concerns about PFAS pollution originating from the Chemours chemical plant complex in our state. I'm writing about two things. I'm requesting the written description of the EPA "cross-agency" initiative described here that is relevant to this contamination. Also, what steps can I take to make sure that I am on any press mailings from EPA activity regarding PFAS, in North Carolina and elsewhere in the country. Best wishes, Cathy ...Cathsrine..Cl3h.hy I Journalist E x. 6 gicathyclabby On Oct 18, 2017, at 2:53 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Catherine, the responses to your follow-up questions are below. Please attribute them to an agency spokesperson. 1. You heard Dr. Strynar say that he took a more difficult path to characterize the unknown PFAS compounds in the Cape Fear River. That's because if he had obtained Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00002 information that DuPont had submitted to EPA regarding what it was producing, he could have faced limitations on what he could have made public. Is there any effort afoot within the agency to change that practice so that EPA scientists can obtain information filed with the agency when studying emerging contaminants without facing limitations on public disclosure about what chemicals are being released by manufacturing facilities? PFAS were of enough concern that EPA required sampling for them as part of the 3rd unregulated contaminant monitoring rule. (See list of compounds in screen grab below.) Our process for protection of and access to materials claimed as confidential business information (CBI) is consistent with the framework laid out under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Provisions are in place for federal employees to access CBI if needed for the required performance of their jobs. 2. Will EPA continue to support Dr. Strynar's efforts to look for and identify unregulated chemicals released by industrial sites during the Trump Administration? Yes. One of Administrator Pruitt's priorities for EPA is to provide support to the states. The work EPA is currently doing on GenX in NC is at the request of NC DEQ. Perfluorinated Compounds: EPA Method 537 perfluorooctanesuifonic Surfactant or emulsifier; used in fire-fighting foam, circuit board etching adds, alkaline acid (PFOS) 0.04 cleaners, floor polish, and as a pesticide active ingredient for Insect bait traps; U.S. 1763-23-1 manufacture of PFOS phased out in 2002; however, PFOS still generated incidentally perfluorooctanoic sc d Pe>duorinated aliphatic carboxylic acid; used for Its emulsifier and surfactant properties (PFOA) 0.02 as fiuoropolyrrters (such as Teflon), fire-fighting foams cleaners, cosmetics, greases and 335-67-1 lubricants, paints, polishes, adhesives and photograonic films perfluorononanoic acd (PFNA) 0.02 Manmade chemical; used In products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resist, 375-95-1 perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) 0.03 Manmade chemicai; used in products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resist 355-46-4 perfluoroheptanolc acid (PFHpA) 0.01 Manmade chemicai; used In products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resist, 375-85-9 perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) 0.09 Manmade chemicai; used in products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resist 375-73-5 On Oct 17, 2017, at 12:23 PM, Catherine Clabby j Ex. 6 wrote: Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00003 Thank you Enesta. I'm hoping I'm on the press release list if and when the EPA does make an announcement on this matter or anything else related to PFAS contamination in North Carolina and our region. Thank you again for your swift help. Cathy Catherine Clabby I Journalist Ex. 6 i @cathyclabby On Oct 17, 2017, at 12:20 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Catherine, attributable to an agency spokesperson: No new information at this time. On Oct 17, 2017, at 9:40 AM, Catherine Clabby "jvrote: Hi Ernesta. Is there any news yet regarding the Chemours investigation we've corresponded about before? Is it finished? Likely to be finished soon? If done, what are the results? My deadline is Wednesday this week. Best wishes, Cathy Clabby On Sep 7, 2017, at 7:18 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Catherine, for attribution to an EPA spokesperson: The investigation is still ongoing. It's EPA policy not to discuss ongoing investigations. From: Catherine Clabby !.......................... Ex. 6.......................... 1 LS'ehT:ThUfTd'ay75epfemfier''07,'T0T73':I7'P1V( To: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@ epa.gov> Subject: Re: Checking in for update re: Chemours PFAS compounds released in Cape Fear River Thank you! Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00004 Tomorrow is my deadline. Sunday really but I hope you do not work in weekends! Cathy On Sep 7, 2017, at 3:14 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Catherine, I'll look into this. What's your deadline? On Sep 7, 2017, at 3:13 PM, Catherine Clabby !..................... Ex. 6......................! i________________________________________________________________ i wrote: Hello Enesta. You helped me earlier this summer regarding getting information about EPA's investigation regarding Chemours Co's compliance with a 2009 order EPA issued under the TSCA regarding the production of GenX. (Please see email thread below.) Thank you again for that! I'm checking in to learn about the status of that investigation you described. At what stage is the probe now? Has EPA found evidence that Chemours did not comply with the order. Does EPA expect to take any regulatory action against Chemours or DuPont on this matter? I'm happy to talk by phone if that is best. Best wishes, Cathy Clabby NC Health News Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00005 I'm just back from a summer trip. In case it is of use to you, here is our most recent story on the issues of GenX and wider PFAS and PFOA contamination in North Carolina. https://www.northcarolinahealthnew s. o rg /2 0 17/08/17/genx-pollution- what-happened-w h en/ Catherine Clabby I Journalist i g j@cathyclabby L___________________________ i On Jul 12, 2017, at 3:21 PM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@ :epa. g ov> wrote: Hi Catherine, Please attribute our response below to an EPA spokesperson: Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA EPA has initiated an investigation into Chemours's compliance with a 2009 order issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the production of GenX. This investigation will allow EPA to determine whether Chemours is in compliance with requirements of the order to control releases to the Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00006 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA environment at the Fayetteville, N.C., facility. EPA is also reviewing the additional toxicity data submitted by the company, as required under the consent order, and updating the risk assessment using the additional toxicity data specific to GenX. At the request of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), scientists in EPA's Office of Research and Development are conducting an independent laboratory analysis of four rounds of water samples being collected by NCDEQ at 13 locations in the Cape Fear River in June and July. Under the terms of the Consent Order, for operations in the United States, DuPont (Chemours) is required to recover and capture (destroy) or recycle the chemical from all the process wastewater effluent streams and air emissions (point source and fugitive) at an overall efficiency rate of 99% (i.e., 99% of the chemical can't be released into the environment). Furthe r, under the terms of the Consent Order, Dupont may only distribute the Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00007 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA chemical to those customers, such as manufacturers and processers, that can also achieve this percentage of efficiency or destruction. From: Catherine Clabby ..... Ex. 6.. i__________________________________________ Sent: Tuesday, July 11,2017 9:27 PM To: Lincoln, Larry <Lincoln.Larry@epa. gov>; Marraccini, Davina <Marraccini .Davina @epa.gov> Subject: Reporter's query about GenX issue in Cape Fear Hi Larry and Davina. I'm a reporter at NC Health News. Jamie Krietzer at NC DEQ said you would be the right pios at EPA to contact regarding questions regarding the ongoing inquiry to the discovery of PFOA replacement chemicals in the Cape Fear River downstream of the Chemours' Faetteville Works. For a story I'm filing on Wednesday, here are my questions: What is the scope of EPA's investigation into the discovery of the Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00008 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA compounds in the Cape Fear? If the EPA determines that Chemours plant did not comply with 2009 consent order with EPA that strictly limited release of PFOA replacement chemicals from its GenX operation in Fayetteville, what range of penalties could EPA impose on the company? Chemours officials have told NC officials that the compounds did not come from its GenX operations. Instead they came from another site at Fayetteville Works, possibly starting back in the 1980s. Does that appear to be plausible? Given the limits of release imposed by the consent order, did Chemours have any legal standing to release the PFOA replacements from anywhere at Fayetteville Works in the river? How long as EPA been aware that that PFOA replacements were being released from the industrial property? I'm happy to speak by phone if that is best for you. Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00009 Thank you in advance for your help. Best wishes, Cathy Clabby Enesta Jones U S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: -2-0--2--.5--6--4-.-7--8-7--3---- Ex. 6 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00022178-00010