In a move akin to David triumphing over Goliath, Ohio has struck a groundbreaking $110 million settlement with industrial giants DuPont de Nemours, Corteva, and the Chemours Co. This agreement brings closure to a seven-decade saga of “forever chemical” contamination, originating from a Teflon-producing facility in West Virginia but impacting the bucolic waters of the Ohio River.
The Battle for Ohio’s Environmental Future
The legal odyssey, spearheaded by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, began in earnest in 2018. DeWine, then the state’s attorney general, launched the lawsuit with a resolve reminiscent of a knight championing environmental justice. On Wednesday, he lauded the settlement as not just a victory, but a crusade won on behalf of Ohioans, especially those residing in the shadow of the Washington Works facility in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
DeWine’s statement resonated with the fervor of a guardian of the environment. “DuPont’s blatant disregard for the toxicity of the chemicals they released cannot be overlooked. This settlement is a testament to holding them accountable for the environmental scars they deliberately inflicted,” he remarked. The pursuit of this case by Attorney General Yost was commended for its doggedness, leading to this landmark resolution.
DuPont and Corteva $110M deal : A Milestone for Environmental Justice
Representing the voice of Ohio, attorney John D.S. Gilmore from Kelley Drye & Warren LLP expressed to Law360 that this settlement is nothing short of historic. It’s a beacon of hope, paving the way for the rejuvenation of Ohio’s natural resources and shielding its citizens from the dangers of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
