N.C. governor, former Duke Energy officer, tells it to move coal ash ponds away from drinking water

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican who worked for Duke Energy for 28 years, said Tuesday he wants Duke to move all its coal-ash ponds away from drinking water sources, Bruce Henderson reports for the Charlotte Observer. The announcement comes weeks after a coal ash spill leaked toxins into the Dan River, and the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources declared the water was safe when it wasn't. Then officials announced a second leak. (CNN photo: Coal ash in the river) 

In a letter to Duke, McCrory and Secretary John Skvarla said, “As a state we will not stand by while coal-ash ponds remain a danger due to their proximity to where so many North Carolinians get their drinking water,” Henderson writes. The letter "demands that Duke supply options, costs and other details about its ash ponds to the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources by March 15."

Frank Holleman, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, told Henderson, “I think it’s good the governor is reacting finally and is communicating with the CEO of Duke Energy, but given everything that’s happened, actions speak louder than words. He says they’re not going to stand for it anymore, but if you’re not going to stand for it any more, clean up the mess.” (Read more)

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/25/4723269/nc-might-make-duke-energy-move.html#emlnl=Todays_Headlines#storylink=c