Dive Brief:
- North Carolina regulators are considering requiring Duke Energy to remove the coal ash from a basin that recently leaked into a nearby river.
- There have been two spills into the Dan River from an unlined ash basin owned by Duke. Federal prosecutors are investigating possible criminal charges related to the spills.
- An agency task force is reviewing the discharge permits for North Carolina's 13 other coal ash basins, all owned by Duke.
Dive Insight:
North Carolina regulators appear to be getting closer to taking action on this issue which has gained national attention.
"Based on our investigation of this spill, one option under consideration right now is to eliminate all coal ash waste discharges coming from this facility and require that Duke Energy move the coal ash waste stored onsite to a lined landfill away from any waterways," a state official said.
