RALEIGH, N.C. -- Federal prosecutors have filed the first of what are expected to be several misdemeanor charges against Duke Energy for illegal pollution from its coal ash dumps in North Carolina.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Raleigh charged Duke on Friday with a felony count of the negligent discharge of pollutants in violation of the Clean Water Act. The prosecutors say employees of the nation's largest electricity company illegally dumped contaminated wastewater into the Neuse River from the Lee Steam Electric Plant in Goldsboro between 2010 and 2014.
The investigation comes after a storm water pipe under a coal ash basin at the retired Dan River Steam Station broke, releasing ash into the Dan River in Rockingham County, February 2014.
The spill coated 70 miles of the river in gray sludge.
Duke Energy's President and CEO Lynn Good said, "We are accountable for what happened at Dan River and have learned from this event. We are setting a new standard for coal ash management and implementing smart, sustainable solutions for all of our ash basins. Our highest priorities are safe operations and the well-being of the people and communities we serve."
Duke said Friday that it has already negotiated a settlement under which it expects to pay $102 million in fines and restitution in the case.
![[ID=23764379]](/Portals/_default/Skins/PrestoLegacy/CommonCss/images/pullquote.jpg "Lynn Good, CEO Duke Energy [ID=23764379]")
Duke said Friday it expects to pay $102 million in fines and restitution.
Previous Coverage:
Stay connected 24/7 via WFMY News 2
Get the WFMY News 2 App free in the Apple store and the WFMY News 2 Weather App which is also free in the Apple store.
