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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.

NC General Assembly Week In Review: Teacher Pay, Coal Ash, Film Incentives

Comedy Central

As North Carolina lawmakers are wrapping their “short” legislative session, which dragged on more than a month longer than they’d originally anticipated, they struck a deal on a plan to raise public school teacher pay. They also agreed to replace the state’s expiring credits for movie and television companies with a more modest grant package.

In this interview, WUNC’s Catherine Brand speaks with Capitol Reporter Jorge Valencia about the contentious teacher pay raises, the film incentives and lawmakers’ still-pending attempt to create a plan to prevent contamination from 33 coal ash ponds across the state.

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Stories, features and more by WUNC News Staff. Also, features and commentary not by any one reporter.
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