North Carolina House Bill Could Hinder PFAS Limits, Public Health Protections

RALEIGH, NC — State lawmakers voted yesterday to add more bureaucratic red tape to government agency operations, setting the stage for more scrutiny over spending and frustrating the state’s response to public needs.  

The state House voted 70–44 in favor of the House Bill 402, which would block state agencies from passing any rules or regulations without prior legislative approval. This comes as the state Environmental Management Commission continues its yearslong debate over regulating PFAS in North Carolina’s drinking water. The bill would require at least two-thirds approval from legislators—and in some cases unanimous approval—for a rule or spending plan to be adopted.  

Following is a statement from Drew Ball, Southeast campaigns manager for NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):  

“Years of legislative overreach have hampered state agencies’ ability to effectively serve North Carolinians. Our state has some of the best and brightest experts leading our state agencies. They need support, not micromanaging, to do their jobs. This bill would further inject partisan politics into nonpartisan state government operations, jeopardizing public health and safety.”  

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).