Accord Would Fine Duke Energy $99,000 For Coal Ash Spills, But Now, NC Gov Wants To Delay It

[hatrack]

Oh, and they're going to institute a TASK FORCE!!!!

RALEIGH, N.C. — State regulators in North Carolina have asked a judge to delay what environmentalists claim is a sweetheart deal with Duke Energy designed to protect the nation's largest electrical utility from heavy fines for allowing coal ash into the state's rivers. The move came a week after a massive spill dumped up to 82,000 tons of toxic coal ash into the Dan River from a Duke Energy containment basin at a shuttered coal-fired plant in Eden, N.C. Duke and state regulators have downplayed the severity of the spill.

Environmental groups, which say Duke dumped illegal levels of arsenic, lead and other toxic heavy metals into the river, criticized the state request as a way to buy time for Duke until the Dan River crisis fades.

EDIT

"We were already addressing coal ash ponds through our multiple lawsuits against Duke Energy, and we will continue on that course once we have an updated assessment of the situation statewide," he said. Skvarla also said the department had created a task force to review all coal ash basins in the state "to prevent any further unpermitted release of coal ash or ash pond water."

Under the consent decree, Duke, a $50-billion company, would pay $99,000 in fines. But if successfully sued under the Clean Water Act, it would face potential fines of up to $37,500 a day, according to lawyers for environmental groups.

EDIT

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-0212-coal-ash-20140212,0,6936143.story

[eppur_se_muova]

1. 99 large ? That'll learn 'em.

I mean, they might have to cut back on tips, or something.