The 16 people who attended watched a few short films about coal-related pollution. That was followed by a discussion led by organizer Nick Wood of NC Warn, a group that advocates for climate protection through the use of clean energy, and Christine Ellis of the Winyah Rivers Foundation.
Coal & Coal Ash
Due to its size, Duke Energy is pivotal in the fight over coal vs climate. NC WARN and allies blocked the first of two Cliffside units Duke wanted to build – by proving it wasn’t necessary — and continued to struggle against the second unit. We have been protesting Duke Energy’s toxic coal ash spill into the Dan River, and working to ensure that North Carolina electricity customers do not foot the bill for the cleanup of the Dan River and Duke’s other coal ash sites.
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Critics skeptical of claim that coal ash cleanup is finished — ABC 11
It’s the headline that has environmentalists and folks who live along the Dan River so fired up: “Duke Energy Completes Cleanup Work Along the Dan River.” In Rockingham County, they just don’t believe that, or they don’t understand it. “If you get out and go three inches deep in the sand, you’re in coal ash,” said Ben Adkins.
NC House Passes Tillis-Duke Burn-the-Public Coal Ash Bill — Statement from NC WARN
The NC House has just passed a “Thom Tillis-Duke Energy Burn the Public” coal ash bill. The bill leaves North Carolinians at the mercy of two regulators — DENR and the Utilities Commission — that have sorry track records of backroom dealing with Duke Energy on issues involving safety and electric rate fairness. There will be very little clean-up, but the public will likely pay billions as Duke turns coal ash failure into a profit center.
A state Senate measure on coal-ash cleanup is improved — News & Observer
Gov. Pat McCrory, himself a long-time employee of Duke until his retirement, came up with a plan for regulation and cleanup that was underwhelming.
NC AG: Make Duke Energy pay for coal ash fix — The News & Observer
N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper has become the latest Duke Energy critic to urge state lawmakers to spare the public from paying billions of dollars Duke would incur if the legislature forces the power company to fix leaky coal ash lagoons.
91% of NC Voters Say Duke Energy Shareholders Must Pay to Clean Up ALL Coal Ash Dumps — News Release from NC WARN
A new poll shows that, overwhelmingly across the political spectrum, North Carolina voters say that Duke Energy shareholders – not customers – should pay to clean up all of the utility’s 33 toxic coal ash dumps, and that those whose negligence caused the disastrous Dan River ash spill deserve to be penalized.
Duke’s Burn-the-Public Coal Ash Bill Being Pushed by NC Senate — News Release from NC WARN
Duke Energy’s lobbyists have persuaded North Carolina senate leaders to propose a Burn-the-Public bill that would provide minimal clean-up of the utility’s 33 leaking coal ash dumps, and maximal abuse of electricity customers and those physically impacted by toxic coal ash.
Strong, if flawed, start on coal ash — Charlotte Observer
Disposing of a production byproduct is a business expense, and its cost should be borne by the company and its shareholders. The bill requires Duke to pay for its cleanup of the Dan and any future spills, but ratepayers could be on the hook for the much bigger costs of moving the ash.
Duke Energy Agreement To Cover NC Coal Ash Spill Costs Leaves Questions, Clean Water Groups Say — International Business Times
John Runkle, an attorney at NC WARN, a Durham, N.C.-based climate advocacy group, said. “We’re very concerned about any plans for the ultimate storage of that [waste],” he said. “We want to make sure that we’re not just passing the problem on.”
Non-profit suggests adjustments to pay for coal ash clean-up — WNCN
A non-profit says if Duke Energy makes five business adjustments, the cost of the clean-up of its 33 coal ash dumps in North Carolina wouldn’t have to be passed on to consumers.