NC Environment Head: Proposed $99K Coal Settlement Would Avoid Delays Involved In Actual Trial

[hatrack]

EDIT

The state's Department of Natural Resources (DNER) said the leak had been 90 percent contained.

Ed. - Oh, yay! Only 10% as much arsenic, cadmium, selenium, mercury entering the watershed!

The agency has come under fire for its handling of the state's coal ash ponds, which it concedes are contaminating groundwater as well as harming aquatic life. It filed suit against Duke last year, and then proposed a settlement, which is opposed by environmental groups.

DNER Secretary John Skvarla said the proposed settlement, which has been on hold since the spill, would prevent delays in cleanup that may be caused by a prolonged trial. "This perception has been created that we are adversaries with the citizens' groups, when in fact we are on the same side of the table," Skvarla told a news conference. "We all have the same outcome in mind ... to clean up the spill, protect the environment and protect the people of North Carolina."

Frank Holleman, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, rejected Skvarla's comments. He said DENR's lawsuit was meant to derail litigation planned by his organization on behalf of several citizen groups. "How can we be on the same side of the table if they don't even let us come into the room?" he asked.

EDIT

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/71107

[pscot]

1. Orwellian doublespeak