"North Carolina Agency Might Get Tough on Utility After Coal Ash Spill"

"DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina regulators who have been accused of lax oversight abruptly announced Tuesday that they may force Duke Energy to move its riverfront ash basin to a lined landfill away from waterways after one of its plants leaked tons of toxic coal ash into a major river."



"That action is precisely what environmentalists have demanded for years while accusing state regulators of allowing coal ash to seep into waterways from Duke's 14 coal-fired plants in the state. Utilities and state regulators have long resisted those demands.

Frank Holleman, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, called the proposed move 'something we have been begging, urging and suing for.'"

David Zucchino reports for the Los Angeles Times February 25, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"NC Environmental Regulators May Reinstate Coal Ash Deal With Duke" (WRAL)

"Protesters Target Duke Energy’S Coal Ash" (Charlotte Observer)

"State Warns Residents Near Coal Ash Spill To Avoid Fish, Contact With River Water" (CNN)

"DENR Considering Making Duke Energy Move Coal Ash To Lined Landfill" (Raleigh News & Observer)

"Jobs Go First, Then Recreation? Duke Energy’s N.C. Coal Ash Spill Spoils the Garden in Eden" (National Geographic)

"Coal Ash Site Called ‘Ticking Time Bomb’" (Danville Register & Bee)

"McCrory To Duke: Move Ash Away From Water" (Charlotte Observer)

"North Carolina May Order Duke Energy To Move Coal Ash After Spill" (Reuters)

"Lack of Coal-Waste Oversight Is Under Fire After Giant Spill" (McClatchy)

Source: LA Times, 02/26/2014