NC Cites Duke Over 5 More Ash Waste Sites (Ooh! Fines Could Hit Whopping $25K/Day! Ow, Stop!)

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — After weeks of downplaying a massive coal ash spill, North Carolina regulators issued violation notices Monday to five more Duke Energy power plants, in addition to two citations late last week at the site that polluted the Dan River a month ago. Also Monday, the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources described the Feb. 2 spill as an “environmental disaster.”

The latest five citations focused on Duke Energy’s coal ash storage basins in five counties, where regulators say the giant utility failed to secure proper permits for storm water discharges. Regulators say more enforcement actions are possible as they look into the handling of coal ash at all 14 Duke-owned power plants in North Carolina. The violations carry potential fines of $25,000 per day per violation, pending the outcome of an agency investigation.

At least 39,000 tons of coal ash and 27 million gallons of contaminated water spilled into the Dan River Feb. 2 after a storm water pipe breach at a Duke Energy plant in Eden, N.C. The spill coated the river bottom with coal ash for at least 70 miles in North Carolina and Virginia, leaving piles 5 feet deep in some locations.

Environmental groups have accused the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources of ignoring years of coal ash seepage at 32 Duke Energy coal ash storage basins. The agency cooperated closely with Duke Energy in the days after the spill, joining the utility in issuing statements that downplayed its severity. But the agency backed down in the face of public pressure. It also backtracked on initial statements about safe surface water levels, acknowledging a week after the spill that it had detected arsenic that exceeded safe levels. And after the agency assured residents there was no danger to humans or wildlife, state health officials warned people to avoid contact with the Dan River and not eat fish taken from its waters.

EDIT

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-nc-coal-ash-spill-20140303,0,7005491.story#axzz2uxtn8Iom

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1. jeese, I think they charge more on a daily basis if I fail to cut my grass

Who knew I could have polluted the whole city for a lesser charge?