Dive Brief:

• In response to its recent coal ash spills, Duke Energy may shut down an additional 930-MW of coal-fired capacity beyond previously announced plans.
• The proposal was included in a letter to North Carolina environmental regulators that outlines Duke's initial plans for dealing with its coal ash ponds in the state (state officials said the plan was inadequate).
• Duke plans to convert to dry ash storage or close the 565-MW Cliffside 5 unit and the 376-MW Asheville plant, according to the letter.

Dive Insight:

With federal prosecutors in the early stages of a criminal investigation into Duke's coal ash situation, we're watching closely to see how Duke gets out of this mess (and who pays for it).