Letter to the editor: PFAS poisoner ponies up for Whatley

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 10.29.26

In March, Chemours gave Whatley $5,000 for his Republican primary election campaign — the maximum amount allowed. Chemours could give Whatley another $5,000 for the general election. Why did Chemours bankroll Whatley?

In 2020, NC’s then Attorney General (now governor) Josh Stein sued Chemours and its parent DuPont. “DuPont and Chemours dumped PFAS into our state’s drinking waters when they knew these forever chemicals are dangerous to humans,” Stein charged, “They put profits ahead of people. That’s why I’m taking this action against these companies. I want them to pay for the mess they created.”

How poisonous was Chemours? The Environmental Working Group’s nationwide study of drinking water found America’s highest level of PFAS contamination right here in Brunswick County.

As chair of NC’s Republican Party, then chair of the Republican National Committee, Whatley said nothing. Erin Carey, deputy director of Sierra Club’s North Carolina chapter, called Whatley’s silence “as baffling as it is disgraceful.”

Whatley again stayed silent while Trump’s EPA betrayed Americans by rolling back PFAS standards and, without even consulting NC, cut a sweetheart deal with Chemours.

Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, Whatley’s opponent, said, “This backroom deal is another example of Washington bailing out billionaires and corporations instead of standing up for hardworking people. I fought to hold corporations accountable for pollution, and I’ll do the same as Senator.”

NC’s Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson said the deal “does practically nothing” and is “an insult to the people of eastern North Carolina.” He sued and held Chemours accountable. On Sept. 10, he announced the largest total environmental damages recovery in NC’s history, forcing Chemours to pay $590 million to compensate NC and 11 local governments, including $95 million for Brunswick County.

While Chemours poisoned NC, Whatley was worse than useless. Whatley’s silence was disgraceful — but it was music to Chemours’ ears. That’s why they’re bankrolling him. Because he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Eileen Farrell

Sunset Beach