RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Groundwater contamination from coal ash ponds at New Hanover County's L.V. Sutton Electric Plant is the subject of notice of violation and an intent to enforce by the state's lead regulatory agency.

 

This week the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources notified Duke Energy Progress in a letter.

 

According to a statement issued by the agency, the notice of violation is the legally required first step toward issuing the utility a fine for violations of the state’s groundwater contamination laws.

 

The action represents the first step in assessing penalties for violations of the state’s groundwater protection laws. In addition to any penalties for violating state groundwater standards, penalties for violations of the utility’s federal Clean Water Act permit will be addressed through an enforcement agreement DENR has established with the Environmental Protection Agency, DENR said in a statement.