Coal ash Coverage

10 years after coal ash disaster, Duke has plans to modernize power plants

Friday marks a decade since 39,000 tons of coal ash spilled from a Duke Energy power plant into the Dan River in Rockingham County.

Duke Energy aims to replace coal plants with gas-powered by 2035

Duke Energy is in the process of cleaning up and closing coal ash basins while working to meet an increasing demand for power.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

EPA to assess Chapel Hill coal ash site

The Environmental Protection Agency will conduct an assessment of the coal ash site that is currently under the Chapel Hill Police Station near Bolin Creek Greenway in response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

EPA: Coal ash increases cancer risk more than previously thought

A recent EPA report shows coal ash could increase a person's cancer risk significantly more than previously thought. That is raising concerns about more than 70 sites across the state where at least 9 million tons of coal ash has been used as structural fill, including an exposed mound off Bolin Creek Greenway in Chapel Hill.

Recent report on coal ash dangers heighten cleanup concerns

Coal ash is more hazardous than previously thought, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The health risks of exposure may complicate cleanup plans at more than 70 structural fill sites across the state.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

AARON MENDELSON: Not just the Supreme Court: Ethics troubles plague state high courts, too

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 -- North Carolina's Supreme Court chief justice heard cases despite a conflict of interest. Experts say judicial ethics at state high courts everywhere don't receive the scrutiny they deserve.

Aaron Mendelson, Center for Public Integrity

Air pollution from coal-fired plants is much more deadly than originally thought, study finds

(CNN) -- No pollution is good for anyone's health, but a new study found that scientists may have significantly underestimated just how deadly pollution from coal-fired plants can be. It also shows how tighter regulations can work.

By Jen Christensen, CNN

Chapel Hill residents concerned over possible housing complex on top of coal ash site

This month, Chapel Hill approved a memorandum of understanding and will soon begin the process of developing on top of land filled with toxic waste. The town hopes to build low-income housing on the site, but experts and residents are wary of this plan.

Chapel Hill hopes to build affordable housing on top of toxic coal ash. Will they be able to safely?

A large mound of toxic coal ash sits right across from the Chapel Hill Police Department, looming over residents who walk the greenway along Bolin Creek.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer; Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Editorial: N.C.'s Regan is Biden's good pick to restore and revive EPA

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 -- In the days since President-elect Joseph Biden announced Michael Regan's pick to lead the EPA, he has been described as both "a consensus builder" as well as a "fierce protector of the environment." He has demonstrated that those are NOT mutually exclusive and is just what will be needed to reinvigorate the EPA.

Who pays for Duke Energy's coal ash cleanup? NC Supreme Court weighs in - sort of

High court sends key issue back before state regulators, leaving some on both sides of a long-running dispute to claim victory.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

State officials to hold sessions about Duke Energy's coal ash cleanup plan

Community members will get their chance this week to find out how Duke Energy plans to clean up six coal ash sites in North Carolina.

Community meetings to discuss Duke Energy coal ash cleanup

Community members will get their chance this week to find out how Duke Energy plans to clean up six coal ash sites in North Carolina.

FRANK HOLLEMAN: Pressure from citizens in coal ash communities won cleanup settlement

Sunday, Jan. 12,2020 -- The heroes are the residents of North Carolina's coal ash communities. They were willing to stand up to institutions of great power, to go to court and testify, to keep up the fight for almost a decade, and insist that their clean water be protected in ways it had never been protected before. At a time when great cynicism is often justified, we should celebrate when democracy works. This time, it did.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Duke Energy cleans up

Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Community pressure credited for deal to dig up all NC coal ash pits

Environmental groups, state regulators and Duke Energy have reached an agreement to permanently close Duke's nine remaining coal ash basins in North Carolina.

Duke Energy agrees to close all remaining coal ash ponds in North Carolina

Duke Energy and regulators announced an agreement Thursday to permanently close all remaining coal ash basins in North Carolina.

Court ruling affects coal ash landfill permits in Chatham, Lee counties

Environmental groups are praising a decision permits for coal ash landfills in Chatham and Lee County.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist

Judge backs DEQ's stance that Duke Energy dig up all coal ash pits

A North Carolina hearing officer ruled Friday that a state agency can order Duke Energy to excavate all of its coal ash pits by 2030 so that they quit polluting neighboring rivers.

DEQ seeks answers for leaky Chatham coal ash landfill

State regulators have asked the operator of a Chatham County landfill where coal ash is being stored to come up with a plan to address high levels of toxic elements found in nearby water.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Toxic environments in N.C.

Thursday, April 4, 2019 -- Capitol Broadcasting's editorial cartoonist.

DEQ says science supports order to excavate all NC coal ash sites

The state Department of Environmental Quality on Monday ordered Duke Energy to excavate all remaining coal ash ponds in North Carolina and move the toxic ash to lined landfills.

State orders Duke Energy to dig up all remaining coal ash ponds in NC

The state Department of Environmental Quality on Monday ordered Duke Energy to excavate all remaining coal ash ponds in North Carolina and move the toxic ash to lined landfills.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Duke Energy settles with dozens of homeowners over Dan River coal ash spill

More than five years after 39,000 tons of coal ash washed into the Dan River from a Duke Energy plant in Rockingham County, the utility has settled with dozens of families who live along the river.

Editorial: Cooper's State of the State offers needed common sense priorities

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 -- Legislative leaders may want to quibble over the implementation details but there should not be any disagreement with the priorities Gov. Roy Cooper laid out in his State of the State address. "Insist our public schools come first. ... Create opportunities for our cities and rural communities. ... Get health care for hundreds of thousands of working people with no insurance."