DENR Asks To Withdraw From Consent Order With Duke Energy, Maintains Lawsuit PDF Print E-mail
State Government
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Monday, 24 March 2014 09:27

RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has asked a judge to allow the state agency to withdraw its support for a proposed consent order regarding two of Duke Energy’s facilities with coal ash impoundments, according to a DENR news release.

 
“We intend for our lawsuits against Duke Energy to move forward,” explained John Skvarla, DENR secretary, in the release. “We will continue to hold the utility accountable for the cleanup of its coal ash impoundments through the lawsuits, the reopening of the permits and our on-going investigation.”
 
DENR is requesting to withdraw from the proposed consent order with Duke Energy regarding lawsuits the state filed against the utility in 2013 addressing unpermitted wastewater discharges and groundwater violations at the company’s Asheville Steam Electric Generating Plant in Buncombe County and the Riverbend Steam Station in Gaston County. 
 
 DENR filed the lawsuits against Duke Energy regarding the two ash impoundments in the spring of 2013. In July, the state agency proposed the consent order for the Asheville and Riverbend facilities that recommended the company address the environmental compliance issues and pay fines. Then on Feb. 20, the state asked the judge to postpone his consideration of the consent order. If DENR’s withdrawal from the consent order is permitted by the court, the lawsuits against the utility will continue. 
 
Last Updated on Monday, 24 March 2014 09:27
 
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