Friday, September 4th, 2015 | Posted by Sarah Kellogg | 1 Comment
Wednesday, August 26th, 2015 | Posted by Sarah Kellogg | No Comments
Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 | Posted by Sandra Diaz | 2 Comments
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015 | Posted by Amy Adams | No Comments
Duke Energy announced it plans to excavate coal ash from ponds at three power plant sites in North Carolina, along with two more at its South Carolina facilities. But the fates of several sites that pose significant threats to drinking water and surrounding communities remain unclear. [ Read More ]Thursday, June 4th, 2015 | Posted by Sandra Diaz | No Comments
Monday, June 1st, 2015 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
The communities near Duke Energy's Belews Creek power plant and coal-ash dump in North Carolina have suffered a long time from water pollution. Now the state is poised to allow the natural gas industry to drill fracking wells nearby. Citizens are saying "enough." The NAACP announced a civil rights investigation at a recent press conference and took its protest to the state capitol at a "Moral Monday" rally. Appalachian Voices is standing in solidarity with these champions for environmental justice. [ Read More ]Tuesday, May 19th, 2015 | Posted by Brian Sewell | 1 Comment
Duke Energy announced plans today to retire its polluting, uneconomical Asheville coal plant and build a natural gas-fired facility in its place. While the news should be celebrated as progress, it also represents another precarious step along a dangerous road that will prolong our region’s over-reliance on fossil fuels and saddle consumers with long-lived investments in natural gas. [ Read More ]Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 | Posted by Sarah Kellogg | 3 Comments
As part of coal ash law enacted in North Carolina last year, Duke Energy is required to test the well water of residents living within 1000 feet of the massive coal ash ponds that dot the state. Now, the first round of water testing results are coming back, giving residents and regulators a clear picture of just how widespread the problem is.
[ Read More ]Friday, March 13th, 2015 | Posted by Sarah Kellogg | No Comments
On Tuesday, DENR announced a historic $25.1 million fine for coal ash pollution at Duke Energy's Sutton power plant. The agency also recently released updated permit drafts for coal ash ponds at other sites, proposed to “better protect water quality near coal ash ponds until closure plans are approved.” Though permitting the pollution will lead to better monitoring, it does nothing to stop or even stymie the toxic discharges. [ Read More ]Thursday, February 26th, 2015 | Posted by Brian Sewell | No Comments
Duke Energy likes to use a tagline about how, for more than 100 years, it has provided affordable, reliable electricity to its customers "at the flip of a switch." But a year after the Dan River spill, Duke seems to accept that coal ash pollution has its own chapter in the company’s corporate story. Now, facing federal criminal charges, Duke will pay for its crimes.
[ Read More ]Friday, February 20th, 2015 | Posted by Brian Sewell | 8 Comments
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against Duke Energy for violating the federal Clean Water Act at coal ash sites across North Carolina. The company announced today that it has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors to resolve the charges that includes $102.2 million for fines and mitigation. [ Read More ]Monday, February 9th, 2015 | Posted by Amy Adams | No Comments
In the wake of the Dan River coal ash spill, which spewed 39,000 tons of the toxic waste into the scenic river, much attention has been given to the problems of leaky, unlined coal ash pits across North Carolina. What hasn't received adequate attention is another menacing threat just upstream from the site of last year's spill. [ Read More ]
