Duke Energy faces $25 million fine for groundwater contamination

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Duke Energy said it's still considering whether it will appeal a record fine from the state of North Carolina over coal ash contamination.
 
Tuesday, the NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources announced a $25 million fine against Duke for groundwater contamination near a coal ash pond near Wilmington. 
 
Now DENR said more fines are possible as the agency looks at environmental data from other coal ash ponds across the state.
 
"We intend to assess groundwater for every Duke facility and will issue civil penalties where appropriate," said DENR spokesman Drew Elliot.
 
Coal ash has become a millstone Duke Energy can't seem to shed.  
 
Since its coal ash spill into the Dan River last year the company has been under fire, under investigation and under pressure from environmental groups.  They say the latest fine from DENR underscores their concerns for the safety of groundwater near all 14 of Duke's coal ash ponds in NC. 
 
"They're unlined, they're leaking profusely, both into groundwater and even into surface water," said Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins. 
 
Perkins said Charlotte residents have good reason to pay attention to DENR's ongoing probe. 
 
Three coal ash ponds ring the City of Charlotte near Lake Norman, Mt. Island Lake and along the Catawba River in Belmont.
 
Perkins said while the state fines look good, he wants more. 
 
"These are all sites that also have very well documented groundwater contamination.  So we not only need to see fines we need to see cleanups," Perkins said.
 
Duke Energy said it can't comment on what future fines might cost the company. 
 
Duke has already agreed to a proposed settlement with the federal government in which it would pay $102 million for its involvement in coal ash problems. 
 
Duke has also said it may cost more than $3 billion to clean up coal ash at its ponds across the state.

WSOC