91.5 Chapel Hill 88.9 Manteo 90.9 Rocky Mount 91.1 Welcome 91.9 Fayetteville 90.5 Buxton 94.1 Lumberton 99.9 Southern Pines 89.9 Chadbourn
Environment
The Latest News On The Coal Ash Spill in Eden, NC
Coal ash is the waste that remains when coal is burned. It is usually collected in a dump, known as a pond. North Carolina has more than 30 such sites in 14 different locations across the state. A pipe running under one of the ponds run by Duke Energy in Eden NC ruptured in February of 2014. The coal ash spilled, largely affecting the Dan River which flows into Virginia. The spill is the third largest of its kind in U.S. history.Many see potential complications because North Carolina's governor, Pat McCrory, worked for Duke Energy for 28 years.

Duke Energy Faces $171 Million In Penalties This Week

WUNC | By Will Michaels,
Phoebe Judge
Published March 12, 2015 at 12:25 PM EDT
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Waterkeeper Alliance

    

This week, Duke Energy has paid $171 million to shareholders and the state of North Carolina.

The first bill was for $146 million to settle a lawsuit that claimed the company misled shareholders when it agreed to a merger with Progress Energy in 2012. The other $25 million was a fine from the state for spilling coal ash at a power plant in Wilmington.

Meanwhile, the conversation continues about how to dispose of the coal ash sitting at 14 sites across the state.

Guest host Phoebe Judge gets an update from WUNC environment reporter Dave DeWitt.

EnvironmentCoal AshDuke EnergyDave DewittEnvironmentThe State of Things
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Will Michaels
Will Michaels is WUNC's Weekend Host and Reporter.
See stories by Will Michaels
Phoebe Judge
Phoebe Judge is an award-winning journalist whose work has been featured on a numerous national radio programs. She regularly conducts interviews and anchors WUNC's broadcast of Here & Now. Previously, Phoebe served as producer, reporter and guest host for the nationally distributed public radio program The Story. Earlier in her career, Phoebe reported from the gulf coast of Mississippi. She covered the BP oil spill and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio. Phoebe's work has won multiple Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press awards. Phoebe was born and raised in Chicago and is graduate of Bennington College and the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.
See stories by Phoebe Judge
Related Stories
  1. Duke Energy Hit With Record State Fine
  2. Duke Energy, Feds Reach Settlement On Coal Ash Spill
  3. Coal Ash Spill: Duke Energy Nearing Settlement With Feds
  4. Senate Bill: $275,000 To Common Core Commission, $675,000 to Coal Ash Commission
  5. Coal Ash Spill, One Year Later
More Stories
  1. Environmental advocates say Duke Energy carbon reduction plan doesn’t go far enough
  2. Is Duke Energy on a path to carbon neutrality? State regulators to review emission, generation plans
  3. Environmental groups tell appeals court NC regulators erred with rooftop solar decision
  4. Latest Duke Energy proposal on carbon reduction includes surging demand projections
  5. Toxic coal ash poured into the Dan River 10 years ago. The spill left a legacy of legislation and change