Chemical Maker: All Reasonable Steps Taken To Cut Pollution

The chemical company under pressure for releasing a little-understood industrial chemical into North Carolina's air and water says it's taking all reasonable steps to reduce emissions while planning for the long term.

Lawyers for The Chemours Co. said in a letter to the state environmental agency Tuesday it's taking steps to cut GenX air emissions by 40 percent this month and 70 percent by October.

The Wilmington, Delaware-based company responded to a warning by the state Department of Environmental Quality that it could change a key air permit unless emissions fall.

Chemours says it's investing up to $100 million in the Bladen County plant to cut air emissions of GenX compounds by 99 percent within two years. About 900 people work at the chemical factory south of Fayetteville.