Duke Pumped 61 Mlllion Gallons From 2 Coal Waste Ponds Into River Over Period Of Months

[hatrack]

N.C. environmental officials say Duke Energy violated state regulations by pumping 61 million gallons of wastewater from two coal ash ponds into a tributary of the Cape Fear River over a period of several months, starting in September.

The state has notified cities down river from Duke’s retired Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant of the illegal discharge. None have reported problems with drinking water. The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources is taking water samples for testing to determine whether coal ash was pumped into the river and if contaminants exceed state standards in the river.

The water was pumped from the ponds into a canal that leads to an unnamed creek, and from there to the Cape Fear River, DENR says.

If water tests show any state standards are exceeded, Duke could face fines of up to $25,000 per day.

EDIT

Ed. - $25,000 per day?!?! OMG, quit, we'll go out of business.

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2014/03/nc-says-duke-energy-improperly-pumped-water-from.html

[Demeter]

1. September was 6 MONTHS ago!

Are they telling us that nobody noticed for 6 months that shit was being pumped into the river?

Pull the other leg, while you're at it.

[MsLeopard]

2. If they admit to 61 million gallons

it must mean it's more like 610 million gallons..... Seems like that's how it usually works.

[llmart]

3. That's all?

$25,000 a day? Big fricken' deal. They need to be fined enough to put them out of business.

Do North Carolinians even care about their beautiful state any more?