In chapter 19, Jack and Harry try to determine the actions taken in the investigation by federal and state agencies to address the glaring problems at DuPont Fayetteville Works and the discharges from the large fluorochemicals manufacturing process, usually referred to as "Nafion" or "Nafion Vinyl Ethers." Surprisingly however, the expected investigative reports and any proposed solutions to the obvious problems do not appear in the state agency's iBeam database. It appears to Jack and Harry that the EPA and DENR investigation into the ongoing discharges of industrial fluorochemicals into the Cape Fear River is locked down in secrecy.
While Jack and Lori were contending with the anger of mid-level bosses, the silence of upper management, and the surprising response from senator T.E. Ham's office, their other appeals for help in North Carolina state government do not seem to be resulting in any explanations or honest communication. Jack and Harry are puzzled. Harry tries to make sense of what is happening in Raleigh based on the many news reports about both DuPont Fayetteville Works and DuPont Washington Works in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He discusses his years in Baton Rouge working at the intersection of the chemical industry, the regulatory agencies, and the community groups.
Lori meets with Deputy Director Brent Nichols to discuss the disturbing events and red flags in Fayetteville. The Deputy Director, who has many years of prior experience working at the EPA, now reports directly to Director Undercash. She describes how painful the experience has been. Deputy Director Nichols tells Lori he does not agree with what is happening in the agency but there is nothing he can do about it.
The agency announces to its employees that an outside company has been hired to handle employee problems and concerns via an 800 phone number. This seems to confirm Harry's theory that there might be a power struggle between Human Resources and Director Undercash over events in Fayetteville. Jack contacts the outside party for help, but is disappointed.
Harry discusses his experience in Raleigh working with Director Undercash's brother, Del Undercash. Harry liked working with Del, and had gotten to know him better when they were both asked by management to make presentations for the agency at the annual meeting of the Carolina Air Pollution Control Agency in Myrtle Beach. Later, Del left the agency to work as an environnmental consultant. He was now working for Trinity Consultants, one of the favorite consultants of the chemical industry in Louisiana and Texas, as well as in other states. Jack explains to Harry the odd situation involving a high-density fiberboard manufacturing facility in Montgomery County. Del is working as the company's consultant in their efforts to avoid enforcement action and a large fine. Steve Mazda explains in staff meetings that Director Undercash is wanting to recuse himself from the decision, but seems to want a subordinate, such as Steve, to make the final decision. Harry points out that passing the responsiblity to Steve, a subordinate who is openly seeking a promotion from the Director, seems problematic. Jack explains that previously Steve had discussed the status of the case in nearly every Monday staff meeting, but now, much like with DuPont, there is an unexplained silence at staff meetings.
Jack bumps into Wade Cook at the Wilmington Smoke School event. Wade, a supervisor in the agency's Wilmington office, tells Jack that he is aware of the controversy involving Jack and Lori in Fayetteville. Wade expresses his astonishment at what has taken place.
Wade is the regional air quality supervisor for the Wilmington Regional Office. Prior to working for the agency, Wade had worked for years as an engineer in the chemical industry. Harry had developed a good relationship with Wade when he spent time in Wilmington helping Wade and his staff understand the new EPA requirements pertaining to chemical manufacturing facilities. Wade made clear to Harry his view that the chemical companies were perfectly capable of regulating themselves, and the state agency should back off and focus on the little companies. However, Wade seemed to appreciate that Jack had a chemistry background and a familiarity with the regulatory requirements. Chemical companies have called his office with technical questions and Wade acknowledges that his staff in Wilmington need to get up-to-speed on the requirements.
After many months of secrecy, the Fayetteville boss finally shares with Jack his understanding of why Jack's months-long efforts and multiple appeals are certainly futile efforts. Jack is surprised at what he is told, and has trouble believing it is true. However, in key respects his boss is essentially confirming what Jack's attorney in Raleigh had told him months earlier.
Director Undercash and Deputy Director Brent Nichols schedule a meeting with the Fayetteville staff on June 12, 2006. Jack and Harry are hopeful this meeting will shed some light on what is happening with U.S. EPA, NC DENR, and DuPont Fayetteville works.
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