Coal Ash Pollution More Extensive at SC Power Plant Than First Reported

"COLUMBIA, SC -- Evidence that a Duke Energy power plant site near Hartsville is more contaminated than previously suspected continues to grow as state regulators, environmentalists and company officials learn more about the property.

Records show that a coal ash waste pond at the H.B. Robinson plant contains about six times as much ash as reported last year by Duke.

About 4 million tons of ash are in the 55-acre coal waste pond in Darlington County, according to data recently published on Duke Energy’s website.

Last year, the power company reported only 660,000 tons in the ash basin near Lake Robinson, a popular recreation spot outside of Hartsville and about an hour’s drive east of Columbia."

Sammy Fretwell reports for The State April 9, 2015.

Source: The State, 04/13/2015